Gordon Duane Strauss

Gordon (Gordie) D Strauss, 89 of Bellaire, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at home. He was born on January 17, 1936 in Grand Rapids, MI to son of William and Rose Strauss. He lived in Wyoming MI until he moved to Bellaire in 1994 to enjoy retirement, family and the lake. He served in the Army and was deployed to Europe where he enjoyed sharing stories and remained in contact with a fellow army friend. After returning to Grand Rapids, he began a 35+ year career with Michigan Bell as a service repairman. His career was filled with more stories, hours of overtime, working holidays, working out of town including a summer in Northern Michigan and doing side jobs through strikes. This says a lot of the man he was and the example he set for his children.

On June 14, 1958 in Bellaire he married the love of his life Bonnie L Lewis whom he met in Grand Rapids and dated only 6 months before proposing. He now reunites with his wife and together they watch over their surviving family; children Douglas (Nancy) Strauss and Susan Strauss, grandchildren Michael (Lauren) Strauss, Ashley Culp, and Melissa (Andy) Dobias, great grandchildren Riley and Chloe Strauss, his sister Virginia Van Zalen, sister-n-law Phyillis Strauss and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Roger Strauss, brother-n-law Jim Van Zalen, brother-n-law Bud (Ruthie) Lewis, sister-n-law Connie (Jack) Troll, and sister-n-law Sally (Chuck) Hebden, great grandchild Kennedy Ann Strauss, and nephews.

Gordie in his early years enjoyed golfing, fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and sailing. He always made sure there was a family vacation typically to an amusement park and two weeks at Holiday Shores, always cabin 1, where he met longtime friends and eventually led to purchasing a cottage at Deep Water Point. Gordie though always found time to help anyone may it be family, a neighbor, or friend. This was a silent trait that resonated with his children.

Once retired and living in God’s country as his wife would say he golfed almost daily, making new friends, winter getaways to Gulf Shores, enjoying his grandchildren, going to Bellaire basketball games, and always helping others. He was a fixture at the Commission on Aging where for some time he oversaw the exercise class and was often found volunteering. He was a man of few words but get him on a golf course and the sarcasm side of him came out. He was competitive playing high school sports to winning every card or board game with his children.

Graveside services in Lakeview Cemetery, Bellaire, and a Celebration of Life will be celebrated October 11 at 11 am. Memorial contributions can be given to the Antrim County Commission on Aging, Senior Center, PO BOX 614, Bellaire, MI 49615 or the Bellaire Public Library, PO BOX 477, Bellaire, MI 49615. 

Arrangements have been handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.