Michele Adrienne Strub-Heer

Michele Adrienne Strub-Heer departed our world early on August 3, 2026 at her home in Colorado Springs.

Born on May 19, 1954, in Redfield, IA, to John F. and Hollys E. Heer, Michele grew up in a boisterous home in Ames, IA. A star student throughout her youth, she graduated from Ames High in 1972. She then attended Iowa State University, also in Ames, and obtained her BA in 1976, with majors in French and International Studies. In both high school and college, Michele made friendships which would last for the rest of her life.

She soon joined the insurance world, starting with Equitable Life in Des Moines. Having fallen in love with Colorado during several previous visits with family and friends, she was happy to transfer to Equitable’s new office in Colorado Springs in 1979. In the fall of 1981, Michele joined the Sno-Jets Ski Club, where she met her future husband, Jordan Strub; they were married in 1983.

In 1987 Michele joined a blossoming and supportive team at Progressive Insurance in Colorado Springs, where she quickly rose through the ranks as the company grew. She combined work at Progressive with graduate school and earned an MBA degree at UCCS in 1992. Michele and Jordan followed her burgeoning career path to Sandy, UT in 1997, then to Henderson, NV in 1999. Michele even commuted from Henderson to San Diego, CA for three years, before she and Jordan returned to Colorado Springs for good in 2005. She moved up the ladder through Customer Service, Pricing, and Product Management, and culminated her corporate career as a General Manager of direct sales in nineteen western states.

Michele was able to retire early in 2008, to pursue travel, the arts, and volunteer work. She tutored elementary school students in reading and adults learning English as a second language. She enjoyed hiking in the mountains and her beloved Garden of the Gods, skiing and snowshoeing, kayaking and biking. She also enjoyed traveling, which for many years would alternate between adventure trips and European history tours. Taking many pottery and photography classes, she would then apply these skills admirably for many years.

Michele found much joy in her second career of volunteering and philanthropy. She volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for neglected and abused children for ten years, and served on the CASA board for six years. Michele and Jordan started a donor-advised fund at the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, and then she helped PPCF modernize its governance during her six years of board service there. More recently, Michele served on the boards of Fostering Hope, the Atlas Preparatory School Foundation, and the University of Colorado Foundation. At each organization, she worked diligently to help improve internal processes, diversify their hiring, and improve community relations. Michele and Jordan have supported many local arts organizations (music, theater, dance, and visual) and educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth of all ages.

Michele was predeceased by her parents, John F. and Hollys E. Heer. She is survived by her husband, Jordan Strub; her siblings Jackie Kirkland, Rex Heer, John M. Heer (Sally), and Kirk Heer (Donna); nephews and nieces Morgan Kirkland (Dawn), Evan Kirkland, Kyle Heer (Gaby), Logan Heer, Haley Heer, Joel Heer, and Kaia Heer, and four grand-nephews and grand-nieces.

If you feel so inclined, you may direct donations in honor of Michele toward any of the organizations listed at strubheerfund.org

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Ent Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs at 1:00pm on Friday, October 2, 2026. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.