LAWLER — Earl D. Straw, 73, Lawler, died Sunday, Oct. 1 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton after a lengthy illness.

Funeral services were 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton, with Rev. Kevin Frey officiating. Edith Kolthoff was organist and Deb Speltz was vocalist, singing     "On Eagle's Wings". Congregational hymn selections included "Eternal Father, Strong To Save" and "Amazing Grace".

Interment was in the New Hampton Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Redman American Legion Post of Lawler. Don Blazek Jr., Gene Blazek, Shane Gfuenberg, Chad Gruenberg, Keith Rosonke and Scott Anderson were pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Don Blazek Sr., Hank Fend, Fred Bohaty, Dean Speicher, Terry Hirsch and Steve Lennon.

Visitation was from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3 at Larkin-Martin-Hugeback Funeral Home in New Hampton, with a 7 p.m. Memorial Tribute.

Earl was born Sept. 30,1927 in Spring Fountain, the son of Jesse ana Hazel (Fulcher) Straw. He attended rural school in Bremer County. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 9,' 1945 and served as a Mailman Third Class during World War II until he was honorably discharged on July 21, 1946. On May 8, 1948, he married Sarah Steadman the Little Brown Church near Nashua. The couple initially lived in New Hampton and moved to Lawler in 1950. Earl managed the Blue Ribbon Mill in Lawler and later worked for the Fend Co. He retired from the Blazek Corporation in Lawler. In his spare time, Earl enjoyed his garden and cutting wood.

Survivors include his wife, Sarah; four sons, Dana Straw, Daly City, CA, Edward (Karen) Straw, Lawler, David Straw, Littleton, CO, A.J. (Janelle) Straw, Protivin; five daughters, Karen (Rick) Huber, Paula (Leo) Kout, Diane (Bill) Gebel and Debra Straw, all of Lawler, Vicki (Randy) Mracek, Protivin; 15 grandchildren; one brother, Merlin "Shorty" Goan) Straw, New Hampton; two sisters, Vera Bunger and Vivian ''olkers, both of New Hampton.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one son, Danny Earl on Sept. 4, 1968; a brother, Dale Straw.

Source: New Hampton Tribune Oct. 6, 2000 from the Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee, Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the web by Bill Waters