READSTOWN, Wis. James Richard (Dick) Strait, 68, of Readstown passed away Friday, Aug. 20, 2004, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born in Vernon County on Aug. 9, 1936, the third of seven sons to William and Marjorie (McKee) Strait. Dick attended grade school in La Farge, Wis., until his family moved to Readstown in 1952, where he attended the Readstown Schools.
On Dec. 15, 1957, he married Elaine Ella Lester, daughter of Earl and Thurley (Long) Lester of Gays Mills, Wis. They were married by Elaine's grandfather, the Rev. Dennis A. Long, in Fennimore, Wis. To this union two children were born: Debra Josephine and James Richard Jr.
The lure of the open highway captured Dick, and he spent 43 years driving his semi trucks across the nation. His first truck driving job was with Carroll Hankins of Readstown, hauling freight, then with Sloane Brothers out of Westby, Wis., hauling dairy products across the Midwest. Dick retired after 32 years of driving for Diamond Transportation System out of Racine, Wis., hauling farm machinery across the nation.
He enjoyed the life of a trucker and was often joined on trips by his wife Elaine, children and in later years his grandson, Tim Moran. His two grandchildren, Tim and Kelly Jean, were a highlight in his life, and he spent many hours enjoying their activities. He was an avid reader of Westerns and trucking magazines.
Mechanical failures were of little problem to Dick as he kept his truck running in A-1 condition. In 1989, Dick received from the American Trucking Association a "One Million Mile Award," and in 1995 received a "Two Million Mile Award" for safe driving. In April 1994 and in May 1996, Dick was selected as Wisconsin Motor Carriers Safe Driver of the month. Also in 1996, Dick was recognized by Overdrive, a national trucking magazine, for coming to the aid of an injured motorcyclist in New Mexico and was selected as Overdrive's Trucker of the Month.
Dick was also a labor leader, serving as president and chief union steward for several years with Racine Teamsters Local 43.
Dick enjoyed looking for gifts to bring back to his family and friends while trucking. Baseball-type caps were a favorite choice and became a hobby. Dick loved people and was proud of his hometown and family where he longed to return home after being on the road.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elaine; his daughter, Debra (Michael) Moran, of Viroqua, Wis.; and his son James, Readstown; grandchildren, Timothy James Moran and Kelly Jean Moran of Viroqua; his brothers, Leon (Edwina) Strait, Readstown, and Thomas Strait of Milwaukee; his brothers-in-law; Joseph (Kathie) Lester of Oriole, Calif., and Allan (Sharon) Lester of Tomball, Texas; and sisters-in-law Wanda Strait and Naomi Strait of Readstown, Lorena Holman of Delavan, Wis., and Jessie Jo Welch of Janesville, Wis.; numerous relatives; and a host of friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, William, Robert, John and Charles.
Memorial services will be held at the Readstown Advancement Building on Friday, Aug. 27, at 11a.m., with a visitation starting at 10 a.m. Pastor Michael Christensen will officiate and interment will follow in Readstown Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are Gene McManamy, Allan Lester, Joseph Lester, and nephews John Strait, Mike Strait and Alan Strait. Memorials may be given to the Vernon Memorial Hospital Heart Center and the Readstown Rescue Squad. Sime Funeral Home assisted the family.
May God ride with you on your final journey.
Lacrosse Tribune, Aug 25,2004
He was born in Vernon County on Aug. 9, 1936, the third of seven sons to William and Marjorie (McKee) Strait. Dick attended grade school in La Farge, Wis., until his family moved to Readstown in 1952, where he attended the Readstown Schools.
On Dec. 15, 1957, he married Elaine Ella Lester, daughter of Earl and Thurley (Long) Lester of Gays Mills, Wis. They were married by Elaine's grandfather, the Rev. Dennis A. Long, in Fennimore, Wis. To this union two children were born: Debra Josephine and James Richard Jr.
The lure of the open highway captured Dick, and he spent 43 years driving his semi trucks across the nation. His first truck driving job was with Carroll Hankins of Readstown, hauling freight, then with Sloane Brothers out of Westby, Wis., hauling dairy products across the Midwest. Dick retired after 32 years of driving for Diamond Transportation System out of Racine, Wis., hauling farm machinery across the nation.
He enjoyed the life of a trucker and was often joined on trips by his wife Elaine, children and in later years his grandson, Tim Moran. His two grandchildren, Tim and Kelly Jean, were a highlight in his life, and he spent many hours enjoying their activities. He was an avid reader of Westerns and trucking magazines.
Mechanical failures were of little problem to Dick as he kept his truck running in A-1 condition. In 1989, Dick received from the American Trucking Association a "One Million Mile Award," and in 1995 received a "Two Million Mile Award" for safe driving. In April 1994 and in May 1996, Dick was selected as Wisconsin Motor Carriers Safe Driver of the month. Also in 1996, Dick was recognized by Overdrive, a national trucking magazine, for coming to the aid of an injured motorcyclist in New Mexico and was selected as Overdrive's Trucker of the Month.
Dick was also a labor leader, serving as president and chief union steward for several years with Racine Teamsters Local 43.
Dick enjoyed looking for gifts to bring back to his family and friends while trucking. Baseball-type caps were a favorite choice and became a hobby. Dick loved people and was proud of his hometown and family where he longed to return home after being on the road.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elaine; his daughter, Debra (Michael) Moran, of Viroqua, Wis.; and his son James, Readstown; grandchildren, Timothy James Moran and Kelly Jean Moran of Viroqua; his brothers, Leon (Edwina) Strait, Readstown, and Thomas Strait of Milwaukee; his brothers-in-law; Joseph (Kathie) Lester of Oriole, Calif., and Allan (Sharon) Lester of Tomball, Texas; and sisters-in-law Wanda Strait and Naomi Strait of Readstown, Lorena Holman of Delavan, Wis., and Jessie Jo Welch of Janesville, Wis.; numerous relatives; and a host of friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, William, Robert, John and Charles.
Memorial services will be held at the Readstown Advancement Building on Friday, Aug. 27, at 11a.m., with a visitation starting at 10 a.m. Pastor Michael Christensen will officiate and interment will follow in Readstown Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are Gene McManamy, Allan Lester, Joseph Lester, and nephews John Strait, Mike Strait and Alan Strait. Memorials may be given to the Vernon Memorial Hospital Heart Center and the Readstown Rescue Squad. Sime Funeral Home assisted the family.
May God ride with you on your final journey.
Lacrosse Tribune, Aug 25,2004
READSTOWN, Wis. James Richard (Dick) Strait, 68, of Readstown passed away Friday, Aug. 20, 2004, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
He was born in Vernon County on Aug. 9, 1936, the third of seven sons to William and Marjorie (McKee) Strait. Dick attended grade school in La Farge, Wis., until his family moved to Readstown in 1952, where he attended the Readstown Schools.
On Dec. 15, 1957, he married Elaine Ella Lester, daughter of Earl and Thurley (Long) Lester of Gays Mills, Wis. They were married by Elaine's grandfather, the Rev. Dennis A. Long, in Fennimore, Wis. To this union two children were born: Debra Josephine and James Richard Jr.
The lure of the open highway captured Dick, and he spent 43 years driving his semi trucks across the nation. His first truck driving job was with Carroll Hankins of Readstown, hauling freight, then with Sloane Brothers out of Westby, Wis., hauling dairy products across the Midwest. Dick retired after 32 years of driving for Diamond Transportation System out of Racine, Wis., hauling farm machinery across the nation.
He enjoyed the life of a trucker and was often joined on trips by his wife Elaine, children and in later years his grandson, Tim Moran. His two grandchildren, Tim and Kelly Jean, were a highlight in his life, and he spent many hours enjoying their activities. He was an avid reader of Westerns and trucking magazines.
Mechanical failures were of little problem to Dick as he kept his truck running in A-1 condition. In 1989, Dick received from the American Trucking Association a "One Million Mile Award," and in 1995 received a "Two Million Mile Award" for safe driving. In April 1994 and in May 1996, Dick was selected as Wisconsin Motor Carriers Safe Driver of the month. Also in 1996, Dick was recognized by Overdrive, a national trucking magazine, for coming to the aid of an injured motorcyclist in New Mexico and was selected as Overdrive's Trucker of the Month.
Dick was also a labor leader, serving as president and chief union steward for several years with Racine Teamsters Local 43.
Dick enjoyed looking for gifts to bring back to his family and friends while trucking. Baseball-type caps were a favorite choice and became a hobby. Dick loved people and was proud of his hometown and family where he longed to return home after being on the road.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elaine; his daughter, Debra (Michael) Moran, of Viroqua, Wis.; and his son James, Readstown; grandchildren, Timothy James Moran and Kelly Jean Moran of Viroqua; his brothers, Leon (Edwina) Strait, Readstown, and Thomas Strait of Milwaukee; his brothers-in-law; Joseph (Kathie) Lester of Oriole, Calif., and Allan (Sharon) Lester of Tomball, Texas; and sisters-in-law Wanda Strait and Naomi Strait of Readstown, Lorena Holman of Delavan, Wis., and Jessie Jo Welch of Janesville, Wis.; numerous relatives; and a host of friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, William, Robert, John and Charles.
Memorial services will be held at the Readstown Advancement Building on Friday, Aug. 27, at 11a.m., with a visitation starting at 10 a.m. Pastor Michael Christensen will officiate and interment will follow in Readstown Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are Gene McManamy, Allan Lester, Joseph Lester, and nephews John Strait, Mike Strait and Alan Strait. Memorials may be given to the Vernon Memorial Hospital Heart Center and the Readstown Rescue Squad. Sime Funeral Home assisted the family.
May God ride with you on your final journey.
Lacrosse Tribune, Aug 25,2004
He was born in Vernon County on Aug. 9, 1936, the third of seven sons to William and Marjorie (McKee) Strait. Dick attended grade school in La Farge, Wis., until his family moved to Readstown in 1952, where he attended the Readstown Schools.
On Dec. 15, 1957, he married Elaine Ella Lester, daughter of Earl and Thurley (Long) Lester of Gays Mills, Wis. They were married by Elaine's grandfather, the Rev. Dennis A. Long, in Fennimore, Wis. To this union two children were born: Debra Josephine and James Richard Jr.
The lure of the open highway captured Dick, and he spent 43 years driving his semi trucks across the nation. His first truck driving job was with Carroll Hankins of Readstown, hauling freight, then with Sloane Brothers out of Westby, Wis., hauling dairy products across the Midwest. Dick retired after 32 years of driving for Diamond Transportation System out of Racine, Wis., hauling farm machinery across the nation.
He enjoyed the life of a trucker and was often joined on trips by his wife Elaine, children and in later years his grandson, Tim Moran. His two grandchildren, Tim and Kelly Jean, were a highlight in his life, and he spent many hours enjoying their activities. He was an avid reader of Westerns and trucking magazines.
Mechanical failures were of little problem to Dick as he kept his truck running in A-1 condition. In 1989, Dick received from the American Trucking Association a "One Million Mile Award," and in 1995 received a "Two Million Mile Award" for safe driving. In April 1994 and in May 1996, Dick was selected as Wisconsin Motor Carriers Safe Driver of the month. Also in 1996, Dick was recognized by Overdrive, a national trucking magazine, for coming to the aid of an injured motorcyclist in New Mexico and was selected as Overdrive's Trucker of the Month.
Dick was also a labor leader, serving as president and chief union steward for several years with Racine Teamsters Local 43.
Dick enjoyed looking for gifts to bring back to his family and friends while trucking. Baseball-type caps were a favorite choice and became a hobby. Dick loved people and was proud of his hometown and family where he longed to return home after being on the road.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elaine; his daughter, Debra (Michael) Moran, of Viroqua, Wis.; and his son James, Readstown; grandchildren, Timothy James Moran and Kelly Jean Moran of Viroqua; his brothers, Leon (Edwina) Strait, Readstown, and Thomas Strait of Milwaukee; his brothers-in-law; Joseph (Kathie) Lester of Oriole, Calif., and Allan (Sharon) Lester of Tomball, Texas; and sisters-in-law Wanda Strait and Naomi Strait of Readstown, Lorena Holman of Delavan, Wis., and Jessie Jo Welch of Janesville, Wis.; numerous relatives; and a host of friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, William, Robert, John and Charles.
Memorial services will be held at the Readstown Advancement Building on Friday, Aug. 27, at 11a.m., with a visitation starting at 10 a.m. Pastor Michael Christensen will officiate and interment will follow in Readstown Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers are Gene McManamy, Allan Lester, Joseph Lester, and nephews John Strait, Mike Strait and Alan Strait. Memorials may be given to the Vernon Memorial Hospital Heart Center and the Readstown Rescue Squad. Sime Funeral Home assisted the family.
May God ride with you on your final journey.
Lacrosse Tribune, Aug 25,2004
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