John Straus

John R. "Jack" Straus, age 76 of Waunakee, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at Agrace Hospice. He was born on Oct. 24, 1937, the son of Robert F. and Loretta (Uselman) Straus.
Jack worked for Gilman Press, as the owner and operator since the early 1970s, until his retirement in 2006. He was a sports enthusiast, coaching youth sports when his children were growing up. Jack had a love of cars, built his own sports car and restored other vintage vehicles. In his spare time, you could find Jack and his wife Joan making many trips to the races at Elkhart Lake, enjoying Door County and traveling the states. He especially enjoyed Hawaii and the Caribbean islands. Jack was an accomplished woodworker and had a talent for crafting furniture. He thoroughly loved and enjoyed his children and grandchildren. Jack followed and supported all their endeavors. He had a warm and welcoming personality and had the ability to quickly make friends with strangers.
Jack is survived by his loving wife Joan C. (Niesen) Straus; four children, Kurt (Margaret), Kent (Michelle), Kristi (Dave) Edwards and Kari Straus; nine grandchildren: Gretchen, Eric, Madeline, and Zachary Straus; Derek, Jake, and Courtney Straus; Jaquilyn, David and Jay Edwards; and a sister, Joann Bucaida. He is also survived by many other loving family and friends.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, 209 South Street, Waunakee on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 11:00 am. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 am until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family will establish a memorial at a later date.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Doctors and Nurses at Meriter and Agrace Hospice for all the wonderful care and compassion given to Jack. Jack, you will be dearly missed.
"Strangers are just friends I haven't met yet." Will Rogers.