Norma G. Strahanoski

Norma G. Strahanoski (née Glad) age 93 of Crest Hill, IL passed away peacefully in her sleep at home while surrounded by her loving family on April 2, 2026. She was born as one of the five “Glad Girls” of Joliet, IL on February 4, 1933 to her father George Glad and her mother Evelyn Glad (née Delost).

Norma was born and educated in Joliet, IL. She was a proud graduate of Saint Mary Nativity Catholic School and the Saint Francis Academy. Shortly after graduating high school, she accepted a position with the Union Pacific Railroad working in their Chicago offices for nearly ten years. During that time, she met the love of her life Donald, and the two were married in 1957. Together, they owned and operated The Last Straw Tavern in Joliet. They raised a wonderful family of five boys, who went on to bless them with numerous grandchildren. Norma was devoted to her Catholic faith and to the Holy Rosary. She was also an active member of the community serving as president of the Saint Mary Nativity CCW, lifelong member of the Croatian Club, proud member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, as well as being a Sloboda Junior Tamburitzans parent. Her husband and sons know that they will miss her dearly, but will forever be proud to be known simply as Norma’s boys.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and Evelyn; her brothers George (Roseann) and William (Irene) Glad; sisters Marie (Thomas) Fabek, Evelyn (John) Gornick, and Carol Widlowski; sibling-in-laws James and Dorothy Kinsley, Leonard Strahanoski, Lester and Ceil Moore, Charlene Strahanoski, and Robert Smolich.

Norma is survived by her devoted husband of 68 years Donald R. Strahanoski; her children Don (Shelly), Paul (Laura), Robert (Mary Lee), David (Johanne), and Mark (Sandy) Strahanoski; her grandchildren Alexandra (Sean), Chase, Zachary (Ashley), Edward, Bobby, Gracie, Luke, Caleb, John, David, Molly, and Joseph.

The family would also like to make special mention of Norma’s special friend and caregiver DeDee Ivanova, with unending gratitude for her compassion and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that any donations offered in Norma’s name be designated for Saint Mary Nativity Catholic Church, 702 N. Broadway St, Joliet, IL 60435.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 9:00 am at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. After which, we will travel in procession to Saint Mary Nativity Catholic Church, 702 N. Broadway St, Joliet, IL for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:30 am. Immediately following Mass, we will process to Saint Mary Nativity Cemetery, 601 Caton Farm Rd., Crest Hill for a Chapel Committal Service.