Martha “Margie” Strey
Martha A. “Margie” Strey, 93, of Azle, Texas, passed away on Sunday morning, Jan. 29, 2023, in Azle, Texas. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Windfall Cemetery, in Granton, with Rev. Daniel Zimmerman officiating.
Martha Angela White was born on Feb. 7, 1929, in Milwaukee, to John and Agnes (Matuszewski) White, the youngest of seven siblings. At a young age, Martha left school to help support her mother and family, first doing custodial work during her early teenage years. She later worked at Globe Union and Briggs & Stratton in Milwaukee, both places as a machine operator. Martha went to work at Sperry Candy Company, in Milwaukee, where she met her future husband, Ceylon “Bud” Strey. She was united in marriage to Ceylon R. Strey on May 10, 1950, in Spencer. Together, they opened and operated a pearl stringing, watch and typewriter repair business in Loyal, before eventually moving back to Milwaukee and starting a family. Ceylon and Martha were married for over 71 years and had four children. After moving back to Milwaukee, she worked for AC Spark Plug (General Motors), in Oak Creek, for one year, and then was laid off. She embraced life as a homemaker, and from 1972-1980, she worked as a sales clerk at the Boston Store, and as an aide in the cafeteria and kitchen as St. Luke’s Hospital. Martha returned to AC Spark Plug in 1981 and worked as a press room attendant until retiring in February of 1988.
After retiring, they lived as snowbirds from 1989-97, splitting their time between Wisconsin and Arizona. In 1997, Martha and Ceylon relocated to Sun City West, Ariz., to fully retire, and they lived there until March 2022, when Ceylon passed. Martha, then moved to Azle, Texas, to live with her son, Richard, and his wife, Catherine.
In her younger years, she loved the glitz and glitter of movie theaters, nickel movies and hot popcorn on her playground, which was Mitchell Street in Milwaukee. She loved to catch and ride the trollies and busses just to explore. Martha also enjoyed card games like Canasta and Sheepshead, Milwaukee Braves baseball games, her many dogs, gambling – particularly playing slots in Wisconsin and Arizona, and boating, fishing and vacationing with her family. Martha always liked being outside and working in her yard and garden, or just being a mom and homemaker by running her kids to swim lessons, sledding, ice skating, baseball, basketball and football practice, or participating in church functions.
Martha is survived by her children: Richard (Catherine) Strey of Azle, Texas, Jeffrey (Susan) Strey of LaValle and Gregory Strey of East Troy; five grandchildren: Tiffany Strey of Racine, Jennifer (Brian) Lerch of Oconomowoc, Nicole Strey of Quartz Hill, Calif., Andrew Strey of Vernon. and Jamie Strey of Elkhorn; and one great-grandchild: Johnathan Lerch of Oconomowoc.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter in 1963 at birth, Joyce Robin Strey; four sisters: Cicilia Bialkowski, Helen Kupinski, Florence Borcyczkowski (Borcy) and Mary Kendzierski; and two brothers: Walter and Frank White.
PAID OBITUARY 135181
