Strauss, Mary Frances Klempa, 101, devoted mother, wife, friend to many, beloved grandmother, and matriarch of the Strauss family from Lynwood Avenue, Wheeling, WV, died Sunday, January 8, 2012 in Good Shepherd Nursing Home.
Her children include a son, George Anthony Strauss, and his wife, Lana of Wheeling; both caregivers for Mary during the period 1999 – 2010. Mary was the mother of five daughters, Mary Carol Hores of Bexley, Ohio, and her husband, Thomas; Her second daughter, Elizabeth Gates of Shadyside, and her husband, Richard; her third daughter, Kathryn Strauss Lemmon, MD, and her husband, R. King Warburton, MD, of Hopkinton, NH; the fourth daughter, Dr. Elaine Strauss of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and her husband, Stephen Klein; and the youngest daughter, Tresa Marie Fraser and her husband, Dr. Malcolm Fraser of Granger, Indiana.
Mary was the epitome of a grandmother, seeking out all the details of her grandchildren’s comings and goings. They are George Strauss, Tammi Leonard, Dr. Thomas Strauss, David Hores, Ann Leslie Gates, John Joseph Gates, Joshua Owen Lemmon, Frances Alexandra Warburton, Aneta S. Klein, Stephen Fraser, Nickolas Fraser, and Mark Fraser. Mary also had 11 great-grandchildren of whom she was especially fond.
Mary was a life-long learner. Her love of reading and language, and the challenges of crossword puzzles inspired all her offspring. She encouraged all young people to seek an education saying: “Everything can be taken from you but nobody can take away your education.”
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, George, and they were married for fifty-three years. She was born to Michael and Mary Broncik Klempa on April 6, 1910. Her siblings were John, Mathew, Julius, Jacob Klempa, and Theresa Saunders, all of Bellaire, Ohio and all who preceded her in death.
She is survived by a sister-in-law, Geneva Klempa of Martins Ferry, OH.
Mary was a member Of St. Michael’s Church for seventy-two years and a member of the Christian Mothers of that parish.
Mary loved the world in which she lived and traveled vicariously through the travels of her children, her grandchildren and through the books she read.
Friends received 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the Altmeyer Funeral, 154 Kruger Street, Wheeling, where Vigil services will be held at 7:45 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 16, 2012 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wheeling, with Rev. William K. Matheny Jr. as celebrant.
Interment in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Michael Parish School Educational Fund.
Offer condolences online at altmeyer.com
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday January 15, 2012
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Cemetery
Monday January 16, 2012
Service
Monday January 16, 2012
10:00 am
Visitation
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Dear Grandma,
This is Aneta Your Granddaughter
I wanted to let you know some things first:
You will be missed, loved, and you were a special person to all of us you were a special person to me
I miss you Grandma, may you rest in peace I WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOU IN MY HEART
I wrote you a poem when I was in the 8th grade, and thought it would be nice to be included into the guest sign in book, so here goes:
My Special Grandmother
Grandma Strauss always smiles.
Everybody notices her,
Because she wears bright, flowery dresses.
She walks with a cane,
And dreams of being young again.
When I play my flute for her,
Grandma Strauss feels happy.
She says my flute music
Sounds like birds singing.
I like it when she plays cards with me,
And cooks my favorite oatmeal.
Even though she is 91 years old,
I still love her.
When I see Grandma Strauss’s wrinkled face
And brown and gray curly hair,
I feel excited.
She likes to cook with great care
And sew for the people she loves.
When Grandma Strauss goes to Church,
She wears her cross.
Her best friend is Anna.
They talk together in the kitchen.
Grandma Strauss is as sweet as the roses,
Which grow by the gazebo in her backyard.
By Aneta Klein
Grade 8
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU GRANDMA
Heaven sure got themselves a true Angel. She will be missed terribly. I sure had some fun times with Mary, and she always asked about everyone, she was a very caring and loving person.
Here are just a few important life lessons I learned from Mary Francis Strauss-My Grandmother:
1. Family is everything
2. Motherhood is hard….but nothing can compare.
3. Never count on a man to do for you what you can do for yourself
4. Education is a non-negotiable
5. Believe in our Lord Jesus Christ with everything you have and everything you are.
6. Grandmas are the ABSOLUTE BEST and should be cherished while they’re here.
7. No one will ever rub my head, play mousey stew, or cook spaghetti and meatballs the way you did for me.
8. I can only hope to someday be the women she was!
Love you always Baba!
Hi Liz: I am sorry to hear of the passing of your mother this week. Please express my sympathy to your family. I did not have the pleasure of meeting her but your words expressed a wonderful person with values and a sense of humor to carry you through life. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Suzanne Pollock
Liz:
I am in Melbourne Beach, FL with Irene Romel Wells. I received notice of your mother’s death from WJU. Please accept our sincere sympathy from both Irene and me. I know your Mom was a wonderful person – may her soul rest in peace.
Irene is moving back to Wheeling. I’m helping her pack. Hopefuly in the coming months the three of us can get together. When you get a chance, please email me to let me know how I can get in touch with you.
Please give my condolences to all of your family.
Richard, Liz, Ann, and Johnny….
So sorry to read of the passing of Mrs. Strauss. From reading her obituary, what a woman! I love the line stating she was the matriarch of the family. They don’t make Baba’s like that anymore. I really miss mine. I’ll keep you all in my prayers.