Benjamin Edward Strass

Benjamin Edward Strass, 23, of Olathe, KS passed away unexpectedly, Friday, June 8, 2018 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

Everything Ben did was big in life.  He had a big temper, a big laugh, a big smile and a big heart.  If Ben did something he did it loudly.  When he closed a car door, the whole neighborhood knew that the Strass' were home.  He left a big foot print.  Benjamin was born on June 29, 1994 to Edward and Arlene (Abramson) Strass in Overland Park, KS. Benjamin loved to draw and to sing and to vacuum and to ride roller coasters. Ben loved to draw pictures with sidewalk chalk. One day an Olathe Sanitation worker commented that Ben's sidewalk art was something that they looked forward to seeing every week. Benjamin graduated from Olathe East High School, in 2012.  While at Olathe East he participated in Job Olympics and won a medal for his Vacuuming skills.  Benjamin learned to use the microwave and sort silverware and to fold laundry and other useful life skills at Olathe North Connect Program he attended after graduation, he then moved on to Options Services where he lived with a group of housemates and attended Options Day Services.  Ben attended both the Gardner Church of the Nazarene and Westside Gardner Church in Olathe.  He loved church and drew many amazing pictures and created interesting engineering projects out of his Legos, dominos and Jenga blocks during services.   As an adult he bowled with Special Pops at Olathe Lanes East every Thursday.    Throughout his life Ben has benefited from the love and devotion of teachers, paraprofessionals and other special needs support staff. Ben will live on as a organ donor.

He was preceded in death by Great Grandmother, Esther Harris, and Grandparents: Walter and Dorothy Strass, Henry Abramson and Daniel Harris (Grandpa Dan). Benjamin is survived by his parents Ed and Arlene Strass, Grandma Evie Harris and Grandmother Dorothy Abramson, Benjamin's House mates at Options are: Jeremy, Richard, Nick, Roger, and David. Benjamin's aunts and uncles include Becky and John Burcham, Barbara Baker, Susie and Tom Sweiton, Rita and Sterling Sheely, Barbara and Dean Sherwin, Arnold and Bernadette Strass, David Strass, and Elfie Abramson and Diana Abramson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gardner Church of the Nazarene or any organization that supports special needs population.

A memorial service will be held at Gardner Church of the Nazarene 16640 North Moonlight Road at 1 P.M. Saturday, June 16th.  After the funeral, we will be sitting Shiva at a close family friend's home, dinner will be served. Please contact Arlene for more information.