Gene Strasheim

Gene A. Strasheim, of Colorado Springs, passed away on August 31 after a long illness, ending a life filled with family and friends who loved him for his wit, humor, playfulness and compassion.

Gene was born on November 24, 1940 to Alex and Elizabeth Strasheim in Kimball, Nebraska. He was a star student in hgih school lettering in football, basketball and track as well as playing in the band and graduating with honors. He played linebacker for Hastings College his freshman year when Tom Osborne was their quarterback. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1963 and married his high school sweetheart, Betty Cathey. He then started a long and distinguished career as a CPA.

Gene started out working for Deloitte, Haskins and Sells in Los Angeles, Denver and New York, and was assigned as partner-in-charge, to some of Deloitte's NYSE audit clients. Tired of NYC and "Chasing the Buck", in 1958 he became Vice President of Finance and Treasurer of CF & I Steel Corporation in Pueblo, Colo. After seven years, Gene joined Skyline Electronics/Products as Chief Financial Officer for nine years, and then as a financial consultant for another three years. Gene also served as a Director of Natural Gas Services Group (NGSG) for several years. Gene brought extensive accounting and financial experience to the Board of NGSG as well as leadership and risk assessment skills and headed their audit committee.

He served on many community boards including Penrose – St. Francis Hospital, Colorado Springs Day Nursery, Peak Vista Community Health and as a Court Appointed Conservator. He loved playing handball and made life-long friends through this pursuit. He co-founded the Behemoth Handball Tournament in 1989. Gene and Betty were avid Bronco fans and have held season tickets since 1968.

Gene is survived by his wife Betty and his three daughter Beth Crumpton (Kevin), Amy Niswonger (Mike) and Jill Carlton (Dan). He has four beloved granddaughters, Bailey, Annaclaire and Lily Crumpton and Anaiah Niswonger and three brothers, Larry (Sharee), Wesley (Kenlynn) and John (Karen) and one sister Kathey Disler (Jim). He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Simone Smith (Wayne) and Helen Neilon (Jerry).

A Memorial service was held on September 10 at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, Colo., with a reception following at The Country Club of Colorado.

Memorial contributions may be made to Life Quality Homes, P.O. Box 61085, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80906.