Polly Strang

Polly Ann (Parks) Strang was born June 7, 1945, to George and Sadie Parks, in Kansas City, Kansas.  She passed from this life on January 13, 2021, at the age of 75, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Polly met Lee Strang through a mutual friend.  They married August 25, 1963 and celebrated 57 years together.  Lee and Polly were blessed with two children, Leann Kay and David Allen.

Polly graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1963 and became a beautician after completing her formal education at Moler School of Cosmetology.  The family lived in Pleasant Valley Missouri where Polly was active as the PTA president for the children’s grade school and she helped organize the town’s celebrations of the United States’ 200th birthday in 1976 by working on the Bicentennial committee.

In 1976 the family moved to Plattsburg, Missouri where they made their home in a Victorian styled house.  It had been significantly altered but Polly and Lee committed to restoring their home to its original design.  During those years Polly worked at various antique stores.  She used that experience, as their restoration project progressed, to decorate and furnish their home. Eventually they were so successful in reestablishing its beauty, their home was rewarded with recognition in 3 national magazines.

Polly was a generous, joyful soul.  She happily devoted her time and talents to help lead the children’s AWANA group at Plattsburg First Baptist church and always participated in the charitable efforts of her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi.  Anyone who ever sat at her table remembers her talent as a cook and planner!   The Thanksgivings she and Lee would host were epic.  Anytime she recognized a need, she set about trying to help meet it. She was devoted to her family, her friends and her pets.

In 2011 Polly and Lee returned to the Kansas City area to be closer to family.  She was beginning to feel the restrictions placed on her body by Parkinson’s disease and was no longer physically independent.  But these changes did not keep her from participating in family activities, and she resumed faithful attendance at the Winnwood Baptist Church, which she and Lee had attended early in their marriage.  She was gratefully able to remain in her home due to the devoted caregiving provided by Lee.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents George and Sadie Parks, her step-mother Lenore Parks and her daughter Leann Gump.

She is survived by her husband Lee Strang of the home;  son David Strang of Liberty, Missouri; granddaughter Jessica Gibson (Jesse) of Platte City, Missouri; brother George Parks (Barbara) of Madeira Beach, Florida; and step-brother Francis Cook (Jean) of Wathena, Kansas as well as many extended family members and friends.  Our prayer is the joy and kindness with which she filled the world around her continues to be shared by all those who carry her in their hearts.

Services and Interment:

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Visitation beginning at 10am

Funeral Service at 11am

Burial at cemetery following service