Jennifer Cheryl Stremlau, tireless volunteer, artist, eternal sweetheart, and best hugger in the world, passed onto the next dimension on January 21st, 2020 in Evansville, Indiana at 51 years old. Surrounded by her family, she passed away after complications from open-heart surgery.
As a daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and musician, she devoted her life to being the best person she could be. She had a pure soul and a heart of gold. She was a deeply spiritual person and lived a life of service, volunteering in many capacities for various organizations throughout her life. She always sought to better herself, serve others, and do the greatest good.
She is known for her genuine, non-judgmental personality, gigantic caring heart, her lively spirit, and her humble, unselfish character.
She radiated joy and was young at heart. Her laugh was as infectious as the joy she emanated. The people who knew her said she had the biggest heart and most compassionate soul.
She was born March 28th, 1968 in Beaufort, South Carolina. In 1977, Jennifer moved to 29 Palms, California where her father was stationed at the military base. She spent junior high in Okinawa, Japan, before returning to 29 Palms where she graduated from Monument High school in 1986. She spent most of her formative years in the high desert, before moving to Evansville in 2001 where she settled for the last 19 years and lived a happy life with her dog, Elijah. She loved to travel back to California regularly to see her family in 29 Palms.
As a life-long musician and learner, she was a beautifully skilled guitar player. She used these skills to proudly play as a regular volunteer for church and for hospice patients at the Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville. Patients and staff alike loved her.
Within the last year, she volunteered over 300 hours doing construction with Habitat for Humanity helping build homes for her future neighbors. Her neighbor said she ALWAYS came to volunteer with a smile on her face. She loved to build and work in service to others. She loved music, her family, the ocean, karaoke, being outdoors, caring for loved ones, and volunteering.
She is survived by her mother, April Gibson, brother Bobby Stremlau, sisters Lynn Stremlau, Kimberly Kropacek, Kristy Collins, Pamela Farmer, and Michelle Gibson, Niece Xochitl Ortiz, Nephew Harley Trudeau, and best friends Dina, Sarah, and Patty. She is preceded in death by her fathers Robert Stremlau and Skip Gibson.
A memorial service for Jennifer Stremlau will be held on January 28th from 9:30-11:30am at the Linda E. White Hospice House Community Room, 611 Harriet St. Evansville, IN. Services will also be held in 29 Palms and are to be announced. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana.
Chris Sanford says
What a beautiful example of a life well lived. May all those she touched, in turn touch others. My thoughts are with her family.
Julie Trovato says
My heart goes out to you April, as well as the rest of her family and friends. Forever will the memories stay with you. Jen will be missed by so many as she touched the lives of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. ❤️????????
Renee says
I only knew Jennifer for a short time but she was truly one of the most kind hearted people I have ever met. My love and prayers are with the family and her closest friends. ????
Shirkey Foss says
Jennifer was a blessing to all who knew her. She will be missed.
Mike and Karen Sanford says
We had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer just once some years back in 29 Palms. One afternoon, she wanted to give us a private concert in Pat Sanford’s living room. We were so affected by her genuineness to please us through her music, by her happy and sweet spirit, and her connection to the guitar, that this memory has stuck with us as if it were yesterday. From reading her tribute above, we learned more about her and see that she has affected many people, and so her legacy continues. Our deepest condolences to all of you at this time. Mike and Karen Sanford
Lori Beck says
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Jennifer sure does have a beautiful smile
Dana Casey says
I know there are no words to take away the pain of this tremendous loss, but please know that I have your family in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in the memories of good days you shared. With Love, Dana Casey
Shanese Risper says
Jennifer your hugs, smile and kind spirit will be missed. You worked so hard to help out when you could with our Soroptimist club here in 29 Palms. I know you are in the arms of Jesus! I’m blessed to have known you!!! May the Lord continue to keep your family in perfect Peace. May His Joy be there strength!!!
Paula Jefferson says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I miss her.
Paula (Dina’s Big Sister)
Connie Bivens says
My heart just broke the day I heard about Jennifer. All the time she had come into our dental office such a sweet hearted person a little anxious most of the time and so worried about not being there on time or coming on the wrong day are not doing the right thing but she always did she was the perfect patient. Jennifer showed love and compassion to everyone she wanted to make sure she told everybody hi and also could remember whatever you had told her the time before she would ask you about it Jennifer was a special person to everyone that she was around she will be deeply missed condolences go out to her family and friends you’ll always be in our hearts Jennifer love you
Jesse says
Jennifer was a dear friend and a blessing to those of us who knew her. She is missed.
Gwynn Sadlier Guiette says
April,
You and the family are on our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Emmett and Gwynn
Beth Sweat says
Jennifer was such a sweet and beautiful person. She will be missed. I was blessed to know her and have her as a neighbor and friend. My prayers are with you all.
Sharry Bass says
This is such a shock, Im going to miss you. We had just talked about going to lunch.You we’re one of a kind.RIP Jennifer
Shirley Chen says
April, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kathy & Tony Muller says
Jennifer was our dear friend, a tireless volunteer and a wonderful Christian. We loved to spend time with her. I am sure she is already in a heavenly band, tapping her foot to the music while “picking on her guitar.” Tony and I will see you in heaven, Jenn!
Patty Lomax says
I didn’t realize her family was so big! It was so nice seeing some of you again. She was all the things people say about her and so much more. You don’t meet many with the kind of outlook on life Jennifer had. She definitely will always be one of those people I can pretty much count on one hand who were genuine, loving, kind, and had a nonjudgmental spirit. I’ll see you again Jen.
Angie Willem says
Jennifer was a blessing and always had a smile on her face. The last time I saw Jennifer, we baked cookies together for Christmas. She will be missed! ????
Sherita Underhill says
Jennifer will forever hold a place in my heart. She was a HARD worker. As she helped build my home, no job too small and no job was too big got her…. from cleaning up the site to climbing up to install siding, she got it done! Her smile was as large as her work effort. I will miss her dearly. ❤️
Jeanette Rogerson says
My condolences for all the family! You will be missed Jennifer!
Dina thomas says
I’m so so sorry for your loss, Jenny was the sweetest person I have ever known. Jenny had the purest heart of gold, this world will never be the same.It was a true honor and privilege to have a best friend/sister like Jenny. She could always make me smile. She had some of the best jokes and very quick witted. I loved how she loved everyone. I am going to miss my many hugs every time we were together(which was a lot). ”Just one more dina. I’m going to miss the bouncing shadow at my front door in the morning for coffee even if she only had time for a quick cup and run. I’m going to miss everything about her. I love you jenny
Sarah says
I am truly sorrowed by the loss of my Godmother and best friend. I miss her dearly. I miss her heart of gold that loved everyone no matter what. I will miss our Sunday mornings watching movies. I miss her off the wall ideas and inventions. I could go on and on with the things I miss already. I love you Jananay. ????????????????✝️❤️♾ Love you alway. Sarah and Ryan
Sharon Happe says
Jennifer was such a kind soul. She will be missed by all who know her. I met her when I volunteered for hospice.
Erin Hilliard says
I am beyond words shocked to hear this news. I have such fond memories of Jennifer from school in 29 and much later as adults When I returned to live here. Truly such a kind and generous soul whose presence on earth added to its richness. Hugs to you all as you grieve her physical presence and enjoy her everlasting memories.
Mariam Huffines says
Jennifer was the greatest friend I ever had while residing in Evansville. She had such a big loving heart, and a beautiful spirit. Who she was is a beautiful testimony of the love and grace our Father in Heaven has for us. May you rest peacefully in His arms my dear sister, until we meet again.
Jennifer Taitano-Tainatongo says
My heartfelt condolences go out to Ms. April, Lynn, Bobby and the rest of the family. Jenn had a heart of gold. I always remember her and her guitar in High school everywhere we went. She loved life and people and playing her guitar. We played volleyball and basketball in High school together and had lots of laughs growing up. Heaven has surely received another beautiful angel. She was a dear and geniunely sweet friend with so much love for everyone.
Rest in paradise Jenn. ????
Joel Griffiths says
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I just heard about her yesterday, and it breaks my heart. She was special to all who knew her. I still remember her coming to my house the day I bought my first guitar. I must have spent an hour trying to tune it. Jen came, tuned it up, and wouldn’t give it back. She played for hours before I was finally able to play my first guitar.
Even though it’s been more than 20 years since I saw her, I still think about her all the time. She was a candle that refused to go out.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. The world is a lesser place without Jen.