Lisa Olivia Strueh
Lisa Strueh was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana. She graduated from McCutcheon High School where she excelled in cross country and track. Her love for running and taking her Aunt Karen's Foods and Nutrition courses sparked a love for fitness which led her to a major in dietetics at Purdue University. During her time at Purdue Lisa was very active in her cooperative, Glenwood, where she took on many leadership positions and thanks to the role models she met there, it led her to pursuing another degree from IUPUI in nursing. Lisa dedicated her life to the service of others and while working for Community Hospital East, she took care of her patients by paying attention to their needs to heal: physically, emotionally, and mentally. She often purchased gifts and cards for her patients in the progressive care unit to bring them joy and promote healing and strength.
Lisa was a woman of Faith and throughout her time in high school and college she felt called to make a difference. At a time where most are finding themselves, Lisa found her confidence in her Faith and by serving those in her community. Lisa served as a Deacon for the church she was raised in, Immanuel United Church of Christ. During her time in high school and college she also attended three General Synods as a youth delegate, a delegate, and a national committee member. While at Purdue she facilitated the National Youth Event which was a four day event centered on faith, leadership, service, and social justice to empower our youth and young adults (ages 12-22). A place that was very close to Lisa’s heart was Merom Church camp and retreat center. Lisa attended their summer camps and spring/fall retreats several years in a row and this led to lifelong friendships and further developed her faith. She served on their board of directors and we are happy to continue to support the camp through donations from LacesforLisa.
Lisa met Jesse in March of 2014 when they began dating. Their time together took them on many adventures around the country and cruises to other countries as well. They were able to experience many of their favorite things together: hiking, camping, photography, running, traveling, and acts of service. Denise, Lisa’s sister, was lucky to bear witness to Jesse and Lisa’s engagement while on a cruise in March of 2016. This was, without a doubt, one of the most joyous days of Lisa’s life. Lisa was accepted into the Nurse Practitioner program at Vanderbilt and would have started her journey there August of 2016.
On April 6th of 2016, Lisa was on her way home from Community Hospital East where she had finished her shift as a charge nurse. She was only a few blocks from home when she was hit and killed by a drunk and drugged underage driver. This crash and the decisions that were made that day, have forever changed our community and world. The loss of life and potential good for the world Lisa could have made, is one of the most difficult struggles to face. We, Lisa’s friends and family, do our best to keep Lisa’s memory alive and honor her life through acts of service and the non-profit, LacesforLisa. We hope by sharing her story, we can inspire others to continue to establish the pillars she lived by: faith, fitness, fellowship, family and friends. We also hope we can spread awareness about the dangers of substance impaired driving and encourage everyone to, “Make a Plan” so you are never in a position to endanger others. We hope no family will have to feel the heartache and tragedy of such a loss.
