Irene Straus

Straus, Irene Jeanette MADISON - Irene Jeanette Straus, age 98, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2007. She was born on March 10, 1908, in Deerfield, the daughter John and Ida (Lewis) Braaten. Irene was united in marriage to Roy Straus on Aug. 22, 1929, in Deerfield. She was a flower show judge for many years. Irene was an original member of Olbrich Garden Club for 45 years, Wisconsin Garden Club, National Garden Club Inc., Ikebana International (Japanese Flower Arrangements), XYZ Bethel, Victory Choir, Bethel Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, Hearty Plant Society, Botanical Plant Society and Landscape Critic. She was awarded the Lydia Schafer award from the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation. Irene was president of Olbrich Garden Club two times. She was honored by the Olbrich Garden Club in 1998, with a permanent horticulture scholarship in her name, it has been given 10 times. Irene is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Gangstad of Madison; a son, Sherwin (Annette) Straus of Denver, Colo.; four grandchildren, Sean Straus of Prague, Czech Republic, Anika Straus of Scotsdale, Ariz., Jay (Karen) Gangstad of Sun Prairie and Kent (Tara) Gangstad of Madison; two great-grandchildren; and special friend, Carol Bostad. She was preceded in death by her husband; sister, Roma Lokken; and two brothers, Leo and Gordon Braaten. Funeral services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, with the Rev. Duane Hanson presiding. Burial will be in St. Pauls Liberty Lutheran Cemetery, Deerfield. Visitation will be GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Monday, March 12, 2007. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to XYZ at Bethel Lutheran Church, Olbrich Botanical Gardens or the Irene Straus scholarship fund.