Ivan K. Strickler, 87, of Iola, Kansas, died Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at the Allen County Hospital in Iola,Kansas. Ivan was born Oct. 23, 1921, on the family farm north of Carlyle, Kansas, to Elmer E. and Edna Louise (James) Strickler. Ivan grew up in the Carlyle and Colony areas and graduated from Iola High School in 1939. He attended Kansas State University until serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Following his honorable discharge from the service, he continued his education at K-State receiving his bachelor of science degree in dairy science in 1947. He returned to Iola and operated a registered Holstein dairy. Ivan was on the first board of directors and named the first chairman of the National Dairy Research and Promotion Board, where he served for five years. He spent 14 years on the National Milk Producers Executive Committee, where he served as chairman of the Export Committee. He served 27 years on the board of directors of Mid-America Dairymen, Inc., the last 13 years as its president. He served eight years on the National Holstein Association Board. He was awarded the Kansas State University Alumni Medallion Award in 2000, the highest honor bestowed by K-State. He was named Man of the Year in 1978 at the World Dairy Expo and as Kansas Distinguished Dairyman by Midland UDIA and the Kansas Cooperative Extension Service in 1981. Ivan had many articles published about the dairy business. In 1996 he wrote the book, "Wholly Cow: We Did It!" which was an autobiographical memoir. Profits from sales of the book raised more than $10,000 for scholarships for youth interested in pursuing careers in the dairy industry. Ivan was a member of the First Christian Church in Iola, and had served on the board of directors of Iola State Bank for over 28 years. Ivan married Madge Lee Marshall on Aug. 7, 1949, at Hillside Christian Church in Wichita, Kansas. Madge preceded him in death on Dec. 16, 2005. He is survived by 3 sons; Steven Strickler, Thomas Strickler & wife, Julie, and Douglas Strickler & wife, Kim, all of Iola, Kansas; daughter-in-law, Cindy Strickler of Iola, Kansas; 8 Grandchildren, Jason, Cody, Kayleigh, Kimberly, Scott, Jordan, Sabrina & Skylar Strickler; 2 Sisters-in-law, Donna Strickler of Modesto, CA, and Joan Hunter of Raymore, MO. Ivan was preceded in death by a brother, Robert E. Strickler and a sister, Louise Strickler. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, December 12, 2008, at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 13, 2008, at the First Christian Church in Iola. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery in Iola, with full military honors. The family suggests memorials to First Christian Church of Iola, Friends of the Bowlus, National Dairy Shrine, Holstein Foundation or Kansas State University Scholarship Fund. Memorial gifts may be left at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.