Rockford, IL

Kenneth E. Strate, 87, of Rockford, IL passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, February 10, 2018 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center after a lingering illness. Kenny was born on August 31, 1930 in Belvidere, IL the son of Edward and Florence "Leona" (Stewart) Strate. He married Joan Hills on January 19, 1951 in Belvidere. Following his graduation from Rockford Business College, Kenny was employed by the Farmer's Bank/Belvidere Bank for 32 years. He, then, partnered with friends to purchase the Huddle Restaurant, which he managed from 1980 through 1992. Kenny was a great ambassador for Belvidere and Boone County, serving the community in many capacities. He was a member of many organizations such as I.O.U Club, Belvidere Youth Baseball, Boone County Historical Museum and the Belvidere Park District board, to name a few. He also was involved with the March of Dimes and the Y.M.C.A. But Kenny was mostly known for his love of people. He never met a stranger. His friends knew him as a "prankster" and affectionately called him "Slippery". Kenny is loved and will be missed by his wife, Joan; children, Jeffrey (Janis) Strate of Belvidere, Diana Kuch of Alta Loma, California, Dana (Pam) Strate-Lutzow of Rockford; Grandchildren, Kristen (Schuyler) Strate, Allison (Craig) Wares, Melissa (Josh) Smith, Brett Kuch, Barbara (Brandon) Saft, Victoria (Darrell Feuerhahn) Kuch, Katherine Kuch, Russell Kuch and Jarrett Strate-Lutzow; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Madelynn, Ava, Brooklyn, Ariya, Noah, Nevaeh, Brooklyn, and her soon-to-arrive brother, Nixon. Kenny is preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law, Bradley Kuch.

Visitation will take place Friday, June 8, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W. Hurlbut Avenue, Belvidere, Il followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm with Rev. Pam Rossmiller officiating.  Celebration of Kenny's life will be held at the Boone County Community Building Complex, 111 1st Street, Belvidere on Friday, June 8th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.