Cavilla Anna (Helgesen) STRAIN

HELGESEN, STRAIN, WAMBSAL, EITH, BOVRE, BERG, YAHN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/17/2016 at 14:44:33

May 14, 1914 --- June 17, 2015

Verona, WI - Cavilla Anna Strain, age 101, peacefully passed away early Wednesday morning, June 17, 2015. Her last days were spent at Agrace Hospice Care surrounded by family. She was born May 14, 1914 in Madison to Harold Theodore and Jennie Wambsal Helgesen. She graduated from East High School and was an active member of the Salvation Army as a young woman. In 1937, she married the love of her life, John P. Strain. Together, "Johnny" and "Toots" - as they were known to each other - raised seven children, Mike (Yoshi), Sheila Eith (Wayne), Susan Bovre (Marcus), Dan (Dawn), Greg (Sara), Jack (Gail), and Deb Berg (Ken).

Over the years Ann had numerous jobs but mainly loved being a stay-at-home mother. In her later years, she became a member of First Baptist Church in Madison. She joined the Olbrich Garden Club and also did ceramics with a group of friends. She enjoyed reading, painting, gardening, bird watching, and traveling. She could never pass up a dish of ice cream or the chance to hold a baby.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Harold and Jennie Helgesen; brothers, Ellsworth Helgesen, Milton and Floyd E. Helgesen ; her husband, John; her son, Michael; and her grandson, Marques James Bovre, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Betty Yahn of California; 6 children; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 28, at First Baptist Church, 518 N. Franklin Ave, Madison. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service.

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[lived in Goldfield, Wright, Iowa as a young child]