Donald Stanley Straka

Dateline; Dorchester, IA Donald Stanley Straka, 89 of Dorchester, Iowa passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 21st, 2023 at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin surrounded by family. The funeral service will be at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church at 11:00 on May 26, 2023. Visitation will be prior to the service at the church from 9:30 until 11:00 am Don is survived by his wife Judy (Haugse), daughters, Ana (Kevan) Larive, Grimes, IA; Stacy (Luther) Linderbaum, Dorchester IA; and Amy ( Brian) Lenning, Ogden Iowa. Grand children, Jayme Lenning, Perry IA, Jacob Lenning, Boone, IA and Lily Lenning, Ogden Iowa. Sibling Darlene Lerch, Marion,IA along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in Death by his infant daughter, Emily, his parents, Paul and Libbie (Vojt) Straka; Sister Vera Kucera, Brothers Clyde and Joseph Straka. Don was born on February 12, 1934 in Cedar Rapids Iowa. After high school he enlisted in the US army and served in the Korean War. Once he returned from the war he attended auto mechanic school in Kansas City. Don worked for Iowa Generator, the city of Cedar Rapids and B & G Auto in Waukon, prior to becoming a full-time farmer. Donald married Judy Haugse on March 31, 1967 at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They bought a farm and moved to Northeast Iowa where they raised crops and milked Ayrshire cows until retirement. Donald was a long-time member of Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church where he served in various offices. The members of the church made him an honorary Norwegian for his 60th birthday. Don loved a good joke, he enjoyed gardening, reading, woodworking and especially tinkering in his garage. Don would often state that he was a “jack of all trades but master of none”. Don’s family would like to thank the doctors and staff of Gundersen Hospital for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital Funeral services will be held Fri. May 26, 2023 at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church at 11:00 A.M. Pastor James Glesne will officiate. Burial will be in the church Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Fri. from 9:30 – 11:00 A.M. Roble funeral home of Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.

Donald Stanley Straka

February 12, 1934 - May 21, 2023