Whitewater – Marlene Yvonne Strait, age 87, passed into eternal rest to be with her husband and sons on Friday, December 12, 2025. She was born on October 2, 1938 on the family farm in Jersey Valley, Westby, WI, the second of three daughters of Martin and Catherine (Christianson) Egstad. She was baptized at Westby Coon Prairie Church and confirmed at Cashton Trinity Lutheran Church. She began her education at Knapp, a one-room school, as the only child in her class for three years. When the family moved, she attended Melvina State Grade School. She graduated from Cashton High School in 1956 and from Whitewater State College (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Education where she was a member of Theta Sigma Upsilon sorority.
On July 2, 1960, she was united in marriage to Kermit Strait at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cashton, WI. She was employed as an Executive Staff Assistant to the Provost and Vice Chancellor from 1960-2011 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Marlene was a member of the First United Methodist Church, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Sons of Norway Nordland Lodge #544, and Vesterheim Norwegian- American Museum. She loved to travel and had many memorable trips touring Norway and visiting with relatives there as well as entertaining many relatives who came to Wisconsin. She also traveled to Germany, Lithuania, Alaska as well as many other states. Throughout her life, she was an avid reader and enjoyed counted cross stitching. Marlene’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were special to her; she enjoyed watching many of their school programs, music, and sports events and was proud of their accomplishments.
She is survived by two daughters-in-law Kelly Strait of Whitewater and Julie Strait of Elkhorn; six grandchildren: Rachel Strait of Greenfield, IN, Megan (Ehen) Aponte of Hartford, Kyle (Megan) Strait of Delavan, Carl Strait (Emma Gagliano) of Delavan, Yvanna Strait (Donaven) Witt of Milwaukee and Catherine Strait (Olivier Amouriq) of Nantes, France; eight great-grandchildren Mercedes, Lillye, Maximus, and Landon Fillebrown of Greenfield, IN, Kayleigh, Sophia, and Lucas Aponte of Hartford, Bodie Strait of Delavan; sister Joyce Egstad of McFarland; and many cousins and friends as well as many relatives in Norway. Loved ones who passed before her are her husband Kermit in 1988, son Michael August 19, 2004, son Scott August 19, 2013, her parents Martin in 2009 and Catherine in 2011, and her sister Anna Marie Edwards in 2025.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, 11:00 at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater, with Rev. Clarissa officiating. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 at the church prior to the service. Interment will take place in Hillside Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be given to the UW-Whitewater Foundation for the Little Red School or Halvorson Log Cabin; or the First United Methodist Church; or Rainbow Hospice.
The Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made at www.dunlapmemorialhome.com
