Daniel V. Strauss, 79, of Hallettsville, passed away June 5, 2013. He was born on July 28, 1933, to Charles & Julia Woytek Strauss in Vsetin, Texas. He married Carolyn Blumberg on July 29, 2000, at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Hallettsville. He was a member of the American Legion, Swiss Alps Dance Club, and Zion Lutheran Church of Schulenburg.

Daniel finished Hallettsville High School and went to work for Texaco, trained to be a Lab Tech. He was drafted in the Army during the Korean Conflict War. After his military Basic Training, he was selected to go to Leadership School. He was given a title as part of a Cadre that went overseas to Germany. He was selected to go to N.C.O. Academy in Munich, Germany, finishing in the top 10 of his class. He finished his tour of duty as an instructor and artillery specialist, with the rank of Sargent.

After a few years with Texaco, he purchased a farm in the Shiloh Community. He enjoyed nature and the outdoors. He spent his days off at his farm raising purebred Hereford cattle. After driving to the farm, 180 miles one way, he decided to take flying lessons and built a runway on his farm. Some of his time off, he would fly instead of drive the car home and back to work.

Before having 20 years of service with Texaco, he started doing research in spawning fish. He had an irrigation well drilled to supply water for fish and vegetables. He would water his improved grass for his livestock. He had 16 bodies of water built to stock his fish reservoirs. Before his tour of duty, he started spawning fish with the help of his two brothers (Clarence & Edward).

After 20 years with Texaco, he went with corresponding A&M University biologist Dan Stienbeck, after improving the spawning of native catfish. He was interested in vegetable farming. He had 15 acres of vegetable and operated a fish hatchery. Spent time bailing hay for neighbors, had a vegetable store North of Hallettsville on Hwy 77, and furnished vegetables to Humble, north of Houston. He also worked with Japanese vegetable farms in Houston.

Daniel had been offered to go to the oil field drilling from a friend, Mr. Heathcolt and the Mangrum Brothers in Houston. With his lab experience, no drilling experience, he went to work at night to learn to become a driller. With so much waste with roughnecks taking care of equipment, he lost his desire to go into the operations.

Daniel sponsored a ladies bowling team for years, which won state in 1996. He did a lot of demonstrations with fish hatchery operations. He was given the title of Honorary Member in the Shiner Fish and Game League. He also donated to the Family Center in Egypt, Texas and different charities. He was elected to the Soil and Water Board. He held the position for 15 years as Secretary/Treasurer for Trivent Insurance Group. He was a member of Swiss Alps Dance Club, Country Squares, and Square Dance Club in Sheridan, where he introduced his wife Carolyn to his joy of square dancing.

Daniel was a devoted husband and friend. You could always find him working in his pastures with his beloved cattle, Fallow Deer, and of course his catfish.

He never knew when to quit! "as per Carolyn"

Daniel is survived by: wife Carolyn; step-son Derrick Pavelka of Round Rock, TX; step-daughter Denise Janak of Sinton, TX; brother Edward Strauss of Hallettsville; 2 sisters, Ida Trojcak of Nederland, TX, and Irene Fleming of Beaumont, TX; sister-in-law Marilyn Strauss of Hallettsville; and 2 grandchildren, Jarrett Janak and Jaclyn Janak.

Daniel was preceded in death by: his parents, and brother Clarence Strauss.

Funeral Service: 11 am, Saturday, June 8, 2013 at Czech Moravian Brethren Church of Vsetin. Visitation: 4 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Prayer Service: 7 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Derrick Pavelka, Gary Trojcak, Mark Grahmann, Jarrett Janak, Clint Saterly, Micha Harmon, Jeff Janak, and Pat Fleming. Officiate: Rev. Mark Labaj. Burial: Vsetin Cemetery. Memorials: Zion Lutheran Church of Schulenburg or Czech Moravian Brethren Church of Vsetin.