Courier Life (West Salem, WI)

Donald W. Strait
Donald Windsor Strait, 78, of Sparta, passed away Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003, at Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born Nov. 30, 1924, to Dr. Pearl and Grace (Williams) Strait in Sparta. He married Lorraine Graw-Evans in Sparta, and she preceded him in death. He later married Joan Kirchner Young on Sept. 17, 1983, in Sparta.
Donald graduated from Sparta High School in 1943. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II, and was discharged in May 1946. A longtime Sparta businessman, he owned and operated Strait Implement for 12 years and the Texaco service station for six years. He was then employed by the Sparta Area Schools for 15 years and later by the city of Sparta as a street department supervisor until his retirement.
His great love was music. He played clarinet in the Sparta City Band from 1947 until it disbanded in 1980. He also played in several other bands.
Don was a life member of the American Legion Post 100 and a past commander of the VFW Post 2112 in Sparta. He also served on the VFW firing squad. He was a past master of the Masonic Valley Lodge 60 of the Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was a 50-year member. For many years, he volunteered at the Tomah V.A. Medical Center.
Don is survived by his wife, Joan; stepchildren, Steven Young of Janesville, Wis., Judith (Duane) Ziegler of Holmen and Barbara Weibel of Sparta; eight step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; a nephew, Keith (Virginia) Strait of Sparta; and many close friends. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lorraine; his parents and grandparents; one brother, Robert Strait; and a stepson, James Evans.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Sparta United Methodist Church, with the Rev. David P. Carlson officiating. Family and friends are invited for visitation Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Sparta. Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home in Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements."

"SPARTA — Joan G. (Young) Strait, 86, of Sparta passed away peacefully Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse.
She was born to Ward and Marie (Losching) Kirchner July 21, 1929, in Bangor, Wis. Joan was one of nine children.
Joan worked at Dodge and Davis Department Store in Sparta, Wis. After this, she worked at Rolling Hills Rehab Center as a certified nursing assistant. She retired after working there for 22 years.
Joan married Robert W. Young, together they had three children. They remained together until his sudden passing in 1980. She later married Donald W. Strait, and they were together until he passed away in 2003. Joan was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be in the hearts of her family forever.
Joan is survived by her children, Steven R. Young of Sparta, Judith J. (Duane) Ziegler of Holmen, Wis., and Barbara J. (Gary Allen) Weibel of Sparta; eight grandchildren, Paul Young, Katie Sterling, Lisa Bertoni, Jason Ziegler, Bryan Ziegler, Stacy Heuer, Dana Anderson and Matthew Weibel; seven great-grandchildren, Ashley Ziegler, Benjamin Ziegler, Jacob Heuer, Addyson Heuer, Leah Sterling, Caleb Sterling and Logan Young; one sister, Faye Mannel of Sparta; along with many other relatives; and friends.
She is now united with her parents; first husband, Robert; husband, Donald; grandchild, Michelle; brothers, Norman, Ward Jr., Marlin, Robert; sisters, Chloe, Joyce and Mona.
A private family memorial service for immediate family will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home, Sparta. Burial will immediately follow in Burns cemetery, rural Bangor, Wis. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family. Memorials may be given to Gundersen Lutheran Hospice in Joan’s name. The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the hospice caregivers for all of the special love that they gave Joan. They would also like to thank the nurses who cared for their mom in the hospital during this difficult time."