Harry Edward Meier Straate - 1926-2003

MEIER, MEINERS, STRAATE, HUFFMAN, TOOMSEN, KENDRICK

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 10/2/2011 at 12:08:10

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa WAUKON STANDARD April 1, 2003
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Funeral services for Harry E. Straate, age 77, of rural Waukon, Iowa, were held Sunday, March 30 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, Iowa with Rev. Richard N. Eick officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon, Iowa. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon assisted the family with the arrangements. Casketbearers were Ronald Snitker, Ronnie Adam, Dean Thorstenson, Stan Straate, Dennis DeBuhr, and Steve Rubendall.

Harry Edward Straate was born Harry Edward Meier on February 19, 1926 in New Albin, Iowa, the son of Emil and Elda (Meiners) Meier. Following his mother's death when he was three years old, he lived with various relatives until being adopted at the age of six by Charles and Winnifred (Meiners) Straate. He was baptized at Crooked Creek, Minnesota, confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, Iowa, and attended one year of school in Brownsville, Minnesota before continuing in the rural Jefferson Township Schools. After his schooling, he operated a dairy farm with his parents. On November 21, 1952, he married Shirley Huffman at the Rossville Presbyterian Church, in Rossville, Iowa. Harry and Shirley continued farming until 1961 when they sold the cows and he started doing electrical work. He spent a couple of years working for Peterson Hardware Store in Waukon where he took additional training and soon opened Straate Electric and Refrigeration, which later became Straate & Son Electric when his son joined the firm. In the 1980's, he started and helped operate D & H Ice with Dan Otting. Harry was a long time member of Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, Iowa. He was an avid reader and liked to stay current on events and new technology. He was also a fan of all kinds of electronic things. He did some work with CB and ham radios as well as satellite receiver dishes. He enjoyed bowling, spending time outdoors cutting wood, doing his own butchering, and was known for his sausage making. Harry's favorite pastime was visiting and debating all kinds of issues with his friends and family.

Harry Edward Straate died at his home early in the morning on Friday, March 28, 2003. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Selma Kendrick.

Harry is survived by his wife, Shirley of Waukon, Iowa; 2 sons, Daniel (Jody) Straate of Waukon, Iowa and Russell (Diana) Straate of Corcoran, Minnesota, a daughter, Ellen (Jim) Toomsen of Ackley, Iowa, and 3 grandchildren.