Paul Henry Strecker of Volga-German descent was born February 11, 1925 in rural Russell County, Kansas, to Henry C. Strecker and Caroline Ottelia (Keil) Strecker. He passed away peacefully Friday, June 15, 2012, at the Great Bend Regional Hospital, Great Bend, Kansas, at the age of 87. Paul was baptized on March 25, 1925 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger, Kansas. He was confirmed on June 19, 1938 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Otis, Kansas by Rev. H. Raum and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Galatia. He grew up in Galatia and attended District Grade School #66. He graduated with the Class of 1942 from Hoisington High School and attended Business School in Hutchinson. He was drafted into the Army on February 1, l951 (Korean War) and served for two years. He was honorably discharged on February 2, 1953. On July 31, 1954 Paul was united in marriage to Norma Marie Wahl of Gorham, Kansas at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hays, Kansas by Rev. F. Krauss. They made their home on the family farm at Galatia and continued to farm until the end. He was a devoted husband and father and a caring neighbor and friend. He was a very generous and helpful person, giving to all whatever the need. He was a steward of the land. Paul was an active participant of his community serving as Deacon, Church Treasurer & Secretary, Sunday School Superintendent & Treasurer, and choir member for 60 plus years at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Galatia; Secretary of the Lutheran Men In Mission of Area 2; American Lutheran Church Southwest Kansas Conference Men's Choir member, Galatia Fire Chief, Galatia City Council, Board of Education for School District #66; Barton County Agricultural & Stabilization (ASCS) Committee, Hoisington Lutheran Hospital Board, Barton County 4-H Holding Board, Fairview Scouts 4-H woodworking project leader, and a member of the Hoisington American Legion Post #286. Paul spearheaded the annual camp clean-up and pontoon boat repair for Camp Alubro at Cedar Bluff Reservoir in the 1960's when it was a Lutheran Church Camp. He also spearheaded the drive to raise funds for the purchase of a van for the Navaho Lutheran Mission at Rock Point, AZ. Paul was the historian for the Strecker-Keil Family and collected history and photos of the town of Galatia. Paul is survived by his wife, Norma M. Strecker, of the home; three daughters, Rev. Charlotte Marie Strecker-Baseler and her husband, Rev. John, of Oberlin, KS; Kathryn Lynne Apley and her husband Michael DVM of Olsburg, KS; Paulette Renee' Orr and her husband, Byron of Larned; and a son, David Henry Strecker of Sanford, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Wesley Layton Orr, Christine Renee Orr, Douglas Paul Apley, Kyle Daryl Apley, Sydney Delayne Strecker, Devon Hagan Strecker, and Ethan Jacob Strecker; two step-grandchildren Brandon Orr and Kelsey Orr; three nephews, Mark McFall and wife Linda of Spokane, WA, Miles McFall and wife Yun of Seattle, WA, and Nathanael Joel Neeley and wife Linda of Tyler, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister Irene Strecker, and sister Mildred C. McFall-Neeley. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 22, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Galatia, Kansas, with Pastor Adam Wutka as Officiant. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 21 with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, Kansas. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Galatia, KS or Navajo Lutheran Mission, Rock Point, AZ in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, KS.