Laurel Streigle

Laurel Amelia (Rice) Streigle, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and faithful servant of Christ, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by her family.

She was born on April 15, 1937, in her family home in Daytonville, Iowa (current Wellman), to Quincy and Gertrude (Merryfield) Rice. She was the oldest sister to Merrill, Jane Ann, Joan, June, and Loretta Rice, and was raised in a home grounded in faith, love, and strong family values.

She attended country school at Pleasant Ridge (on what was the Davenport farm outside Delta) and later Delta Public School, graduating in 1955. On March 5, 1955, she married Leon Streigle in her family home, beginning a marriage marked by devotion, faith, and unwavering commitment to family.

Together they were blessed with seven children: Lyle, David, Melanie, Jon, Frosty, Brian, and Amy. Additionally, they housed a foreign exchange student, Bjorn Almgren, from Sweden in the 1974-1975 school year. She experienced both great joy and deep sorrow in life, including the heartbreaking loss of two sons, Lyle (1973) and David (1977), in automobile accidents. Through every season, her faith in the Lord remained her strength and comfort.

A lifelong and devoted member of Delta Christian Church for over 75 years, Laurel faithfully served her church and community in many roles, including Sunday School teacher, played the piano and organ, Deaconess, Elder, and Church Board Chairman. She was also a proud member of the Delta Ruritan Club, always eager to serve and support her community.

Later in life, she attended Indian Hills Community College, worked for Ahrens Construction for three years, and then served for 13 years in the Business Office at Indian Hills, where she was known for her dedication and warm spirit.

She was rarely seen without yarn in her hands and found great joy in sewing, crocheting, knitting, reading, and playing the piano. She lovingly shared her passion for books and music with her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Above all else, her greatest joy was her family. She spent countless hours supporting family and friends at band concerts, theatre or dance performances, and numerous sporting events sitting in the center of the gym, football stands, or in a lawn chair along the fence near home plate where she snacked on popcorn, Pepsi, and sliced apples. A visit to the house was always accompanied by some special treat Laurel would whip up, like sticky popcorn or a warm chocolate bundt cake with butter, to name a couple of family favorites. The family and friends looked forward to eating homemade rolls and noodles at family gatherings, and cinnamon rolls at Christmas. The food was always plentiful and you left with a full heart and stomach.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Quincy and Gertrude Rice; in-laws: Clifford and Valburga Streigle, and Delbert Streigle; sons: Lyle and David Streigle; sisters: Jane Ann Rice and Loretta Rice; brothers-in-law: Bill Stanley and Doc Dawson; and granddaughter: Angel Streigle.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Leon Streigle; her children: Melanie (Randy) Conrad, Jon Streigle, Frosty (Shelly) Streigle, Brian (Anjoo) Streigle, and Amy (Scott) Falletta; her grandchildren: Erin (Andy) Quint, Emily (Mitch) Gibb, Ethan (Tori) Conrad, Ashlee (Eric) Ayers, Amanda (Rob) Flack, Brandy (Matt) Miller, Forrest Streigle, Kendall (Kevin) Little, Cade Streigle, Jacob Streigle, Max Streigle, Samantha Falletta, and Dylan Falletta; her siblings: Joan (Ralph) Lopez, Merrill (Marilyn) Rice, and June Rice; sisters-in-law: Doris Dawson and Lois Stanley; along with many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

While we mourn her passing, we rejoice in the blessed assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ, knowing she is now resting in His loving presence. Her life was a beautiful testimony of faith, love, and service, and her legacy will continue for generations.

Visitation will be held at Holm Funeral Home on Friday, February 6, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Delta Christian Church on Saturday, February 7, at 1:30 p.m.
Internment will follow at Garrett Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established in Laurel’s name.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7