Finding My Dead

On the evening of Friday, October 28, 2022, Alma Lareen Nahodil died of natural causes at the age of 96.

Alma, known as Peggy, was born on March 17, 1926 in Coal Township to George and Ada Mae (Wetzel) Strausser. After her father’s death in 1927, her paternal uncle and his wife, Earl and Martha Mae (Bradigan) Strausser, raised little Peggy as their own.

Although Peggy was 14 when she learned Martha and Earl were her aunt and uncle, she always considered them to be her mom and dad and loved them dearly. In this family, she was raised with a sister, Vivian, and one brother, Earl.

Peggy knew and spent time with her biological family throughout her childhood, though she was uncertain as to their relationship until she turned 14. At this time, she moved from Coal Township to Philadelphia to live with her mother and siblings. Peggy was the youngest of eight children: Marlin, May, Thelma (Rothman), Leonard, Dorothy (Rothman), Robert, and Betty (Mullin).

On March 4, 1945, Peggy married George “Rudy” Nahodil at First Schwenkfelder Church in Philadelphia. Peggy and Rudy started their family in Philadelphia before moving to Levittown, PA in 1953. Their home in the Goldenridge section of Levittown would become the pride and joy of the family for nearly 50 years. The front door was always open to visitors wishing to stop by or stay for a while. Peggy loved visitors and the opportunity to feed them. With plenty of food, desserts, and other goodies, Peggy always made sure everyone left with a full stomach. Peggy and Rudy’s 55-year marriage came to an end when he died on October 19, 2000.

On March 14, 2006, Peggy married John Thompson in Virginia. Together, the couple traveled and enjoyed an active life. John died in 2011.

Peggy is survived by a daughter, Donna; a son, George; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and Linda Maurin, whose loving friendship spanned more than 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husbands, and two children, Earl and Linda (Turner).

Peggy spent her final years living at Palmyra Heritage House, where she was well cared for and loved by the staff who made sure Peggy was comfortable and her family had everything they needed while keeping vigil.

Obituary was written by Lisa Haas on October 29, 2022. Published by https://www.finkenbinderfamily.com/obituary/AlmaPeggy-Nahodil on October 31, 2022; https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/newsitem/name/alma-nahodil-obituary?id=36960034 and The News Item (Shamokin, Pennsylvania) on November 1, 2022.

Filed under: Nahodil, Obituaries, Strausser | Tagged: Alma Strausser, Nahodil, Sunday's Obituary | 2 Comments »