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Earl Strey Obituary – 3/13/2011


Earl Arthur William Strey, age 78, of Lester Prairie, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 13, 2011, in Lester Prairie.

He was born Aug. 9, 1932, in New Germany, Carver County, Minnesota; the son of Arthur Carl and Selma Helma (Schuette) Strey. Earl was baptized as an infant Aug. 28, 1932, by the Rev. Theo Roef; and confirmed in his faith April 14, 1946, by the Rev. R.A. Ritz, both at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie.

Earl received his education in Lester Prairie and was a graduate of the Lester Prairie High School.

He entered active military service in the US Army Signal Corps Jan. 8, 1953, and served his country in the Korean War. He received an Honorable Discharge Dec. 22, 1954.

Earl was united in marriage to Audrey Ann (Grams) Strey June 1, 1957, by the Rev. M.J. Lenz at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Delano. Earl and Audrey resided in St. Louis Park until 1995, at which time they moved to their current home in Lester Prairie. They shared 51 years of marriage, until Audrey passed away Jan. 8, 2009.

Earl held employment at Minnesota Rubber Company in St. Louis Park for 30 years as a manufacturer of seals and gaskets.

He was a member at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, and St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. Earl was also a member of the Lester Prairie American Legion Post 463.

Earl enjoyed going to garage sales, dancing, gathering family genealogy, and traveling, especially to Germany because he spoke German fluently. He also enjoyed collecting various things, like old time music and aluminum cans, which he donated to the local animal shelter. Earl loved spending time with his puppies, and especially cherished the time spent with his family and friends.

Earl is survived by his sister-in-law, Carol Nye and her husband, James, of St. Francis; brother-in-law Milo Grams and his wife, Beverly, of Waverly; special friend, Mary Ann; nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, Audrey, Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Selma (Schuette) Strey.

Funeral services took place Thursday, March 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, with the Rev. Eric Nelson officiating. Marsha Christenson was the organist. Soloist Marvin Westermann sang “In The Garden.” Congregational hymns were “My Faith Looks Up To Thee” and “Nearer My God To Thee.” Interment was in the church cemetery.

Casket bearers were Virgil Latzig, Dale Strey, Myron Schuette, Robert Neisen, Lowell Johnson, and Bob Hennen.

Arrangements were by the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel of Lester Prairie. Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com, click on Obituaries/Guest Book.

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