January Resident of the Month
January 8, 2024
Get to know our January Resident of the Month, Elisabeth Strakele!
Elisabeth, the eldest of three sisters, navigated a childhood marked by resilience and strength. Over 60 years ago, she made the life-changing move from Germany to Chesterland, Ohio. Although Elisabeth maintained strong ties with her German roots, it was only in the past decade that she officially became a U.S. citizen. Regular visits between Ohio and Germany kept family bonds intact, emphasizing the enduring connection despite the geographical distance.
Elisabeth went on to gain her Associate's Degree in Psychology from TriC. Her professional background began as a secretary in Germany, then led to a translator for the Glidden Company in Cleveland, and then she worked as a saleswoman at Winkelman’s. Elisabeth has always had a love for writing short stories and poetry but her real passion was playing tennis. She even won several sanctioned tournaments as well as the doubles title for the Midwest Tournament with her tennis partner, Muriel.
Beyond her professional achievements, Elisabeth is a proud mother to Stephanie and Norbert, and a doting grandmother to four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Fond memories include Elisabeth's vibrant personality, highlighted by her ownership of a Canary Yellow Camaro and a Ford Mustang. Her daughter said this made her the cool mom in the neighborhood at that time.
Elisabeth is one of our special residents who reside on Serenity Circle. She loves her music and it shows when she comes to live entertainment because she is always smiling and dancing to the music. She also enjoys getting pampered by going to Amy to get her hair done. We love having her here with us, especially her sense of humor which continues to leave a lasting impression on everyone around her. Thank you for sharing your life experiences with us, Elisabeth!