Straka, Evelyn Ruth

Evelyn Ruth Straka

Evelyn Ruth Straka, age 91, died on Friday morning, December 8, 2023, at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing. Evelyn was born on October 24, 1932, in Grant County, WI; the third daughter of Chester and Anna Marie (Jensen) Graham.

Evelyn was born on the Graham Farm in Mount Ida Township, Grant County, Fennimore, WI.  Initially, she attended school at the Graham School before moving into town when she was in the eighth grade.  She joined 4-H when she was ten years old and showed lambs from the family farm.  She enjoyed assisting her father in the spring with the sheep and lambs.   She disliked history growing up but developed a love for history, especially genealogy. After graduation from Fennimore High School, Evelyn moved to Madison.   

Evelyn married Clarence Straka on Feb. 12, 1952, and together they rented the Straka farm outside of Montfort until 1960 when they moved to the Chester Graham farm in rural Fennimore: Evelyn’s home place. In 1965, they moved back to the Straka homestead and purchased it from Clarence’s dad. They farmed there for 50 years until the farm was sold and they moved to Fennimore in April 1997.

Evelyn enjoyed traveling but did not have a favorite city to visit.  She enjoyed immensely going to visit her children where they resided throughout the years as well as cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska.  She stayed busy raising their eight children, gardening, sewing and genealogy.  

She handled stress by praying a lot.  Her prayers were answered many times with her surgeries and when her children were ill.  She loved hugs from the young as well as the old.  

Evelyn is survived by eight children, 22 grandchildren, and 47 great-grandchildren and one due in January: Marcia (Kevin) Shafer and their children, Angela Shafer and Jeremy (Mary) Shafer;  Daughter in-law, Eileen Straka and their children, Sasha Straka and Ken (Holly) Straka; James (Sally) Straka and their children: Joshua (Dedra) Straka, Isaac (Emelia) Straka, Matthew (Marissa) Straka, Leah (Andrew) Satterfield and Austin (Allie) Perkins; Edward (Mary) Straka and their children, Douglas (Liliia) and Heidi (John) Walkington; Victoria (Larry) Latiolais and their children, Rebecca Latiolais and Jessica Latiolais; Jane (Andrew) Robbins and their children: Brian (Tracy) Allen, Carey (Matt) Kreul, Kelly Allen (John Barker), Stacy (Doug) Wiedenbeck and Nathan (Chasity) Allen; Kathleen (Steven) Peterson and their children, Michael (Melissa) Peterson, and Michelle Peterson; Donna (Ernst) Saunders and their children, Justin (Tracy) Saunders and Monica (Adam MacGeen) Saunders. 

Evelyn is also survived by three sisters: Lorraine Fritsch, Harriet Brun and Mary Jane Graham; and brother, Harris (Peter) (Bonnie) Graham.  

 Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Anna Graham; husband, Clarence; son, Roger; brother, Paul; sisters: Katherine (Kay) Strang, Doris Reamer, Nancy Severson, and Hettie Felly; numerous sisters and brothers in-law; and many friends dear to her heart. 

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11: 00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Queen of All Saints/St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fennimore. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 11, at Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore where a Parish Rosary will be held at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, at the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit: www.larsonfuneralhomes.com    

In lieu of plants and flowers, a memorial fund is being established in loving memory of Evelyn R. Straka.