Helen Antoinette (nee Gaukel) Straw died peacefully in her sleep on August 3, 2021at the age of 94 after a beautiful, long life and a short illness. In the weeks leading up to her death she was surrounded by family members and friends who visited to talk, laugh, and reminisce with her about the love, friendship, joy and fun they shared over her lifetime.

Helen was the second child born to Frank Joseph and Mary Louise Gaukel on October 14, 1926, in Sauk City, Wisconsin. She grew up outside Sauk City on Fish Lake with an older sister Mary and two younger brothers, Frank and Tom. Helen attended Whitewater State Teachers College where she met her beloved husband of 50 years, Bruce Straw. After graduating, she taught high school in Horicon, WI before marrying Bruce at St. Aloysius Church in Sauk City on June 25, 1949. She always said Bruce was “a great catch!” but more important, she often commented how lucky she was to be deeply in love her entire married life. Together, Helen and Bruce had five children: James Byron, Ann Louise, Henry Thomas, Joseph Anthony and William Gerard. Helen was preceded in death by her sons Jimmy and Joe, and her husband Bruce.

Helen is survived by her children: Ann (Patrick Cremin); Hank (Gayle); Bill (Kim); and by six grandchildren: Bradley Straw, Christopher Straw, Alexandra Iannessa, Douglas Rieck, Jacob Straw and Benjamin Straw, as well as six great-grandchildren: Bryce Straw, Anthony and Aliviah Straw, Sophie and Grace Iannessa and Odin Rieck.

Despite the sadness that touched her life with the death of her son Jimmy at age 3 and her son Joe’s severe disabilities, Helen always maintained her joy for living. It was especially evident in celebrations of all kinds. There was never a Christmas, birthday or Fourth of July that she failed to honor with food, decorations, music and a gathering of family and friends. She was fierce about protecting, encouraging and supporting those she loved. She loved children and after raising her own, she taught preschool – acquiring a colorful, if not always fashion-forward, wardrobe because “the kids love it when I wear these red shoes.”

Although Helen spent most of her adult life in Madison, after Bruce’s death she moved back for several years to Fish Lake where she had grown up. When her eyesight failed in her late 80s and she could not drive, she returned to Madison and began a wonderful new chapter of life, connecting with a dear family friend, Bill Ehlert, after his wife died. Together they spent the past decade travelling the world, going to concerts, plays and restaurants and generally enjoying all the little and great things about sharing time with each other. Their loving friendship and day-to-day companionship was one of the best gifts God could bestow on her in these later years – a reward for a life well-lived.

Helen’s family especially wants to thank two caregivers, Sherry Fitzmorris and Diann Danielson, who assisted her over the past several months and whose kindness will never be forgotten

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 2121 Rowley Avenue, Madison. A Private family burial will take place after Mass at Resurrection Cemetery. A Celebration of Helen’s Life Luncheon will follow at Bonefish Grill, 7345 Mineral Point Road, Madison.

In lieu of flowers Helen would want donations to be sent to Special Olympics of Wisconsin, www.specialolympicswisconsin.org

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000

Helen Straw

October 14, 1926 - August 03, 2021

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