Lewis John Straka

Lewis John Straka, age 85, of St. Peter died Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter.

A visitation will be held from 2-4 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the St. Peter Funeral Home- Klein Chapel. A Time of Remembrance will be held at 4 pm. Memorials are preferred to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or the Mayo Foundation.

Lewis was born on November 10, 1931, in Geddes, SD to Joe and Mabel (Lyman) Straka. He graduated from Greenway High School in Coleraine in 1949, followed by a year at Gustavus Adolphus College. Lewis served in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954.

Lewis was united in marriage to Caroline Anderson on October 8, 1951, in Bovey. A resident of St. Peter for over 50 years, he worked as an electrical engineer at ADC Telecommunications and continued with them after they became Onan Corporation. Lewis was a member at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter, the Masons, Zuhrah-Shriners, and the Lions Club. Lewis was an avid fisherman and had a knack for catching many fish. He also enjoyed playing cards, feeding and watching birds, listening to Minnesota sports radio, attending family sporting events, and traveling, especially yearly trips to Florida.

Lewis is survived by his sons: Gary (Sheila) of Owatonna and their son, Derek (Margo); Jerry of Whitefish, MT; Joseph (Cindy) of Whitefish, MT and their children, Sara and Sam; Thomas (Deb) of St. Peter and their children, Andrew, Nathan, Maya, Thomas and Andon; Ronald (Elisa) of Chaska and their children, Danielle, John (Marissa) and Allison; and Richard (Stacey) of Mankato and their children, Colby and Madeline; three great grandchildren; brother, Cliff (Mary) Straka of Minneapolis; and many other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Caroline in 2011; and four siblings, Ruby, Betty, Joan, and Bob.