Lissie Sturkie was the youngest child of John Ira and Mary Sturkie. Born in 1905, she was just one year younger than her niece Opal Sturkie, daughter of WD and Lou Sturkie. Because there were no other children in the house for companions for Lissie, Opal was often summoned by her grandparents to keep Lissie company. They were good friends and spent a great deal of time together.