In Memory of

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William F. Strei




Gloria Strei




Joseph Frank Forrai




Norma Waswo Forrai




William F. Strei Prayer Card



William F. Strei Prayer Card

Obituary from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel



Appreciation Card from Gloria Strei

 I am taking a break this week from the family timeline, to pay tribute to a very close family friend. If you remember from my past post(Gloria and Helen LaPorte), Helen LaPorte was best friend with my Grandmother, Lucy Traulsen Waswo. Their two daughters became best friends, Gloria LaPorte Strei and Norma Waswo Forrai. Gloria's husband was William F. Strei, who passed away on April 1, 2011. These photographs were taken on July 25, 1998 at the home of William and Gloria in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Although, no blood relationship existed, sometimes friends can be closer than relatives. This is the case with the Strei's and the Forrai's. Unfortunately, time brings all friendships to an end, and Gloria is the remaining member of this friendship. William and Gloria were married in August 1947 and my mother was Gloria's maid of honor. William and Gloria were married for 63 years, a real tribute to love and commitment.

I have always referred to Bill and Gloria as my "Uncle" and "Aunt". They will always be as close and dear in my heart as my 'real' Uncles and Aunts.

With this posting I wish to express my deepest sympathy to my Aunt Gloria, and Uncle Bill's remaining family and friends. My Uncle Bill was a very special person and will be missed by all who knew him.

Gloria and Helen LaPorte

Subjects: (Left to Right): Gloria(age: 6 months) and Helen LaPorte.

Date: 1925.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Johannes, Milwaukee.
Relationship to me: Maternal Friends of the Family.

I have very little information regarding this photograph. Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother.

This picture is of my mother Norma's best friend Gloria LaPorte Strei and her mother Helen. The LaPortes have been close family friends for many years. Helen LaPorte was best friends with Lucy T. Waswo, and Helen's daughter Gloria was Norma's best friend. Gloria married William F. Strei and they have been married 64 years. They reside in Brookfield, Wisconsin. It does not surprise me that the two families shared many photographs.

Last Known Photograph of Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann

Provided by Judith Jacob

Subject: Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann.
Occasion: Unknown.
Date: 1934 - 1935.
Location: Chicago, Illinois.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Great Grandmother.

Johana Lueth Waswo Giermann was born August 18, 1848 in Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. She married Frederick William Waswo on October 10, 1869 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois by Pastor T. Grosse. Frederick committed suicide on April 2, 1896. I have no information when she married Mr. Giermann, but the two had no children. Mr. Giermann preceded Johana in death. Johana passed away on May 18, 1935 at age 86 in Chicago, Illinois.

I apologize for the poor quality of the photograph. This was a photocopy provided by my cousin, Judith Jacob. These are the only photographs that I have of Grandma Giermann in her later years. This is the last photograph of Grandma Giermann that I have. Judith believes that all of these photographs were taken at Grandma Giermann's home located at 5328 Leland Avenue, Jefferson Park, Chicago, Illinois in the late 1920's to mid 1930's.

In Memory of Norma Elsbeth Waswo Forrai

I am taking a departure in the time line this week, to honor the memory of Norma Elsbeth Waswo Forrai, my mother. She passed away on June 9, 2009.

The top picture is of Norma and her mother, Lucy Traulsen Waswo. The picture was taken the summer of 1922. Norma was about 7 months old. This picture was taken in the backyard of the Waswo Grocery Store and their home, on E. Ring and N. Richards Streets in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The middle picture is of Norma taken on August 17, 1946. Norma was the maid of honor of her best friend, Gloria LaPorte Strei. The photograph was taken on the front porch of the home of Earl and Helen LaPorte in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The LaPortes have been close family friends for many years. Helen LaPorte was best friends with Lucy T. Waswo, and Helen's daughter Gloria was Norma's best friend. I had never seen this photograph before July 2009. When I traveled to Wisconsin, to have mom placed next to dad, Gloria Strei gave me this picture. The photograph captures my mother in her youth. Though taken before I was born, I became attached to it. I call this photograph 'Forever Norma', as it portrays her as I know how she would like us all to remember her. Sun in her eyes and a smile on her face, she was very happy on the wedding day of her best friend. Gloria married William F. Strei and they have been married 63 years. They reside in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

The bottom photograph of Norma was taken on Mother's Day in May 2007. The Adult Daycare she attended photographed a portrait as a gift for each client's family. Norma loved the color purple, and this was one of her favorite outfits. Mom enjoyed the daycare very much. She loved watching old western movies, playing the card game UNO, and dancing. She looked forward to going every day. The adult daycare was a blessing for me, as I could work full time and rest at ease knowing that mom was being well taken care of.

Norma spent most of her adult life employed in public service. She worked for the gas company, Milwaukee Public Library, Greendale High School and for Milwaukee County. She was always kind to people and her coworkers and customers always spoke highly of her. I remember her sense of humor and the smile on her face. She had a long and happy life. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her and my dad. I will always love her.