Billings Gazette Billings, MT 21 Mar 2007 Victor Stricker, 97, of Billings, formerly of Hardin, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at the Aspen Meadows. He was born Oct. 30, 1909, in a small village in Elenbuk, Russia, on the border of Germany and Russia. The family immigrated through Ellis Island, then moved on to Windsor, Colo. Times were tough and at the young age of 2-1/2, Victor lost his mother after giving birth to his younger brother. Sadly, this brother died three months later. They later moved to Nebraska to farm. Vic's father remarried and to this union they were blessed with more children. Altogether, Victor had 18 siblings (whole, half and step). Victor was a hard worker and was on his own by the age of 14. He heard there was land and water in the Hardin area, so in 1929, he started farming sugar beets, grain and raising a few cattle. Vic's business did well and through this, he was able to help a few of his younger brothers and having them come work for him. Victor retired from farming in 1974. During his teens, Victor was introduced by one of his friends to a sister, Elizabeth. She turned out to be the love of his life. Vic thought she was mighty pretty and on Nov. 27, 1932, they were married. Together, they had one son and two daughters. As a couple, they enjoyed dancing, playing cards and going to church. When they vacationed, they would go to California or Nebraska to see relatives. Victor said his wife Elizabeth was the best there was when it came to cooking and baking. They were married 65 years before she passed away. His parents, daughter Nancy, son Marvin, brother, Henry, and a grandson, Scott Stricker, preceded Victor in death. Survivors include his daughter, Nadine (John) Stark of Billings; daughter-in-law, Martha Stricker; brother, Robert Stricker; sisters, Rosie Durr, Lillian Backer, Lydia Jackson, Martha Leikam and Alvina Bennett; grandchildren, John, Steve, Victor, Sandy, Leroy, Mark and Pam; and 16 great-grandchildren. Special thank you to Aspen Meadows for all their love, help and support. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, March 23, at the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Hardin Fairview Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.