Hazel A. Straka

Montfort, WI-Hazel A. Straka, age 85, died on Friday evening Feb. 16, 2018 surrounded by her loving family at Upland Hills Nursing and Rehab in Dodgeville. Hazel was born on Aug. 25, 1932 in rural Fennimore, WI the daughter of John and Velma (Hayes) Vesperman. She was united in marriage to Joseph Straka on Jan. 26, 1952 in Fennimore and together they had 11 children.

Following graduation from Fennimore High School, Hazel and Joseph began farming in rural Montfort. Being a dedicated wife, Hazel milked the cows and was always willing to lend a helping hand. As the family got older, Hazel waitressed at the Dutchman’s Inn in Livingston, cashiered at the IOCO in Montfort, and was a cook at the Iowa-Grant School District for numerous years. Hazel was an awesome cook; making homemade cinnamon rolls and buns, pies, soups, and her one of a kind, potato salad. Hazel also loved being around home for her family and friends. She enjoyed embroidery, snowmobiling, bowling, gambling, bingo, motorcycle rides, and was willing to help out with daycare and making baby quilts for St. Thomas Catholic Church Parish. Hazel was an active member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and the Altar Sodality, an officer for Catholic Order of Foresters and a member of Montfort VFW Auxiliary. Hazel was a matriarch of the Friday night fish fries at St. Thomas Catholic Church and her dedication to her Lord and family will be deeply cherished forever.

Hazel is survived by her ten children; Thomas (Kerith) Straka, Debra (Peter) Hoffman, David Straka, Melissia Straka, Donita (Ryan) Pilling all of Montfort, Margaret Straka Kuschel of Madison, William (Donna) Straka of Livingston, Karen (Ronald) Rundhaug, Angela (Scot) Johnsrud both of Dodgeville, Suzanne (Scott) Rueckheim of Muscoda, 31 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren; three siblings, Stella Blair of Fremont, WI, Archie Vesperman of Lancaster and Lyle Vesperman of Boscobel; brother-in-law Cletus Sisley of Lancaster and many other special brother and sister-in-laws.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph on April 26, 2014, son Timothy Straka, grandson Steven Hoffman, great-granddaughter Priscilla Hoffman, and siblings, Clarion Vesperman, Marian Welsh, Percy Vesperman, Elsie Bryhan, Ruth Sisley and Bernice Moran.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday morning Feb. 20, 2018 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3-8:00 P.M. on Monday afternoon Feb. 19, 2018 at the Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort where a prayer service will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Monday afternoon.