It is with sadness that we share Biruta Benkitis Strike, age 88, entered the Heavenly Gates to be with our Father on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

She had quite a journey with her life. She was born in Latvia, forced to flee their farm due to the war when she was seven, spending time during the war in displaced persons camps in Germany before their family was sponsored by a church in Nebraska after the war when she was twelve. Their family of six made their way to Illinois where she met the love of her life, Arlyn Strike in a church in Sterling, Illinois. 

Biruta and Arlyn married on August 2, 1958, and before long, they started their family, welcoming their children Debby, Vicky, and the twins, Craig and Steve.

Biruta spent her career in nursing. She started at the old DeKalb Public Hospital which actually was a short walk across the backyards and then at Kishwaukee Hospital.

Biruta shared the love of sewing with her sisters. They did many craft shows together for many years. She also chaired the handcrafting booth when hospital auxiliary had their bazaars for many years. Reading and spending time with her family were some of her retirement joys. 

She is survived by her devoted husband Arlyn Strike of 67 1/2 years; her four fabulous kids Debra (Ernest) Klapmeier, Vicky (Bret) Miller, Craig (Donna) Strike and Steven (Jessica) Strike. Proud grandmother to Tiffany (Brian) Jones, Erik (Jazmine) Klapmeier, Britni (Steven) Petrizzi, Grant (Kelsey) Miller, Kelcee Miller, Maxx (Catherine) Miller, Aaron (Jenn) Strike, and Andrea (Tom) Hensley. She was blessed to have twelve great grandchildren; her sister Sylvia Smoot; her brother-in-law Vernon Smoot; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Janis and Elza Benkitis; her sister Anna Smoot; her brother Janis Benkitis; her brother-in-law Don Smoot and sister-in-law Patricia Benkitis.

 The Strike Family would like to extend their thanks to Oak Crest and the Heartland Hospice staff for their loving care of Biruta.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, 324 N 3rd Street, DeKalb, IL. A luncheon will follow the service at the church fellowship hall. 

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Lutheran Church of DeKalb or the American Diabetes Association in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.

For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.