Joseph "Joe" Strazanac

Joseph “Joe” Strazanac, 69, of Holland, MI, died in his home on December 28th, after a long arduous journey with cancer.

Joe was born and raised in Grand Haven, MI, the youngest of 7. He had many cousins who were some of his best friends growing up. He received his undergraduate engineering degree in Columbus, Ohio at the Ohio Institute of Technology. He met his wife Sue there when they both worked at a department store. They married in 1977 and moved to Bluffton, Indiana, where they had their 3 children. Joe received his MSBA and MBA at IPFW. After 13 years in Indiana, they moved to Holland in 1990.

He was an automotive engineer by trade, coming to Holland to work at Prince Corp. and to be near family.

Joe loved the outdoors and nature. He was an avid camper and loved spending time with the family around a campfire. He found peace and contentment in hiking and made very good friends along the way. His favorite treks were parts of the Appalachian Trail and the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

He loved and cherished his family with all his heart. He was deeply devout in his faith, and very involved at his parish, St Francis de Sales. Joe served on multiple boards and committees there over the years and was a lector and visitation minister. He also volunteered at Evergreen Commons in recent years, and with various agencies that helped with food insecurity.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Mary Strazanac, in-laws John and Vi McPeak, brother Thomas Strazanac, and best childhood buddy, cousin “Beaver” Sarachman.

Joe is already greatly missed by his wife of 47 years, Sue, sons Timothy Strazanac, Thomas Strazanac, and Joshua Strazanac, grandson Bradlee VonIns, granddaughter Madison Strazanac, brother John (Sandy) Strazanac, sisters Pat Walker, Theresa Carlson, Mary Anne Strazanac, and Joann Strazanac, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Strazanac family would like to extend thanks to neighbors and friends who provided comfort and support to Joe and the family. The Hospice of Holland team was a Godsend, walking every step of the final weeks with us. Thanks also to the Cancer and Hematology Center, Start Midwest, and Corewell Palliative Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Holland or to Holland’s Saint Vincent DePaul Center. Joe loved volunteering with various community agencies. Please consider spending some time working with an agency of your choice to honor his memory.

A visitation will take place on Friday, January 3 from 5-8pm at Dykstra Funeral Home - Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave, Holland, with a time for sharing memories at 7:00pm and a Rosary to follow. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, 1:00pm, January 4 at St. Francis de Sales Church, 171 W 13th St., Holland, with a one-hour visitation prior to the service.