James Douglas “Doug” Strahle, 83, of Concordia, MO, died Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Doug was born on October 19, 1942, the son of Leonard James Strahle and Esther Gerken Strahle. He lived on the family farm in the Ernestville area his entire life until suffering a stroke in February. He then resided at the Good Shepherd Care Community where he died.
Doug attended Bowman School, then St. Matthew Lutheran School and when it closed, finished the elementary grades at St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade School. He then graduated from Concordia High School in 1960. Doug was employed at Concordia Creamery and when it closed went to the Emma Creamery where he worked until he started farming full time. In addition to farming, he also ran a dairy operation. In April 2007, he sold the dairy cows and started raising Hereford beef cows.
He was a lifetime member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church at Ernestville, where he held many offices through the years.
Doug enjoyed singing with the Community Chorus when it was active, bowling on the St. Matthew team, playing cards and country music dances.
On November 10, 2007, Doug married Wanda Heins Kirchhoff at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. This union joyfully blessed him with four stepsons.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda, of the home; four stepsons: Brett Kirchhoff of Alma, Todd Kirchhoff of Higginsville, Gregg Kirchhoff of Warrensburg, and Jody Kirchhoff of Raymore; one brother, Roger Strahle of Concordia; eight step grandchildren; seven step great-grandchildren; six nieces and nephews; several great and great-great nieces and nephews; and other extended family.
In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Lenora Jean and Wilbert Freund; and a niece, Ellen Esther Freund.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2026, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Ernestville, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Rev. Perry Copas will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery or Good Shepherd Hospice in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
Pallbearers will be Paul Freund, Lyle Freund, Jeff Strahle, Roger Gudde, Dustin Hall, and Joel Dierking.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
