Marilyn Lydia Strauss, age 81, of Hallettsville, passed away peacefully into the hands of Jesus on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, surrounded in prayer by her loving family and friends.

Marilyn was born on August 1, 1936, to Leonard Oscar Woytek and Julie Dusek Woytek of Hallettsville, Texas. On May 27, 1961, she married her soulmate, Clarence A. Strauss. Marilyn belonged to St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Hallettsville where she was a dedicated member for many years.

Marilyn was a very giving, unselfish, easy-going, and hard-working woman. She led a full life filled with love for God, family and friends.

Marilyn spent most of her life unselfishly caring for others. She was a wonderful and devoted mother to her two daughters. She worked at First National Bank of Hallettsville for years then left her career to care for her mother-in-law and numerous family members and friends. Marilyn loved many things about life. Some of her greatest pastimes were playing bingo and dominoes, collecting antiques and trinkets from garage sales, watching John Wayne movies, hunting, fishing, gardening and canning vegetable from the family's large spring and fall gardens. She enjoyed preparing delicious meals for her family, in particular frying up the catfish caught earlier that day. Marilyn enjoyed taking casino trips with family and friends to the Golden Nugget and L'Auberge in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she was one lucky lady. Many special memories were made with her husband and daughters as they drove state to state on summer road trips, enjoying beautiful sites along the way.

Marilyn is survived by her 2 daughters, Mary Harmon and Dianne Grahmann & husband Mark Grahmann, all of Hallettsville, Texas. She is also survived by brother, Dennis Woytek and wife Sandy of Katy, Texas.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clarence, brother Leonard "L.J." Woytek, and infant grandson Dawson Andrew Grahmann.

Funeral Service: 3 pm, Saturday, October 14, 2017, at St. Peter Lutheran Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Friday at Kubena Funeral Home with Prayer Service starting at 6:30 pm. Pallbearers: Bryon Woytek, Dennis Satsky Jr., Clint Satterly, Micah Harmon, Andy Besetzny and Bart Woytek. Honorary pallbearers: Gary Trojcak, Alan Trojcak, Patrick Fleming, Karen Satterly, Anna Frazer, Melissa Leita, Amy Machicek, Leean Rother, Barbara Grindeland, Lorena Kanak. Officiant: Pastor Jared Stillions. Memorials: St. Peter Lutheran Church or Charity of Your Choice. Burial: Hallettsville City Cemetery.