Lucille Margaret Stratton, 94

Published 8:59 am Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Lucille Margaret Stratton, 94

Lucille Margaret Stratton, 94,  passed away peacefully Monday, May 28, 2018, at the home of her son, surrounded by her loving family.

Lucille was born Feb. 29, 1924 and grew up on the family farm near St. Thomas, Minnesota, with her parents, Richard and Cecelia Byrne and five siblings. She graduated from LeSueur High School in 1941, attended teacher’s training in Mankato, Minnesota, and taught in a rural school setting.

Lucille married Ronald Stratton on May 7, 1949, and together they raised six children. Their first years were spent in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, before moving to Austin, Minnesota, in 1958. Lucille was a stay at home mom until they all reached school age. She then held a variety of jobs before working many years at Osco Drug. Many will remember her as the lady with a smile in the camera department. After retiring, she spent many hours volunteering at her church, nursing homes and St. Olaf Hospital Auxilary.

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Love of family came first to Lucille – from her lifelong marriage to Ronald, to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had countless friends and was a “second mother” to many. Cooking for all of them was a great expression of her love. Apple pies, Special K bars, cinnamon rolls and chicken dinners were especially enjoyed! She was a faithful Catholic her entire life and an active member at Queen of Angels Church since arriving in Austin. She was an excellent dancer (as her sisters could tell you), enjoyed reading and was an avid card player – a game was bound to break out any time Lucille was around. She was extremely proud of her Irish heritage. She treasured the family’s annual summer vacations to northern Minnesota, which eventually grew to 60-plus family members making the trip “Up North” together.

Lucille is survived by her six children, Robert (Wendy) Stratton of Austin, Bill (Shirlee) Stratton of Austin, Jim (Kathy) Stratton of Rose Creek, Minnesota, John (Diane) Stratton of Yuma, Arizona, Cece (Joe) Kroc of Austin, and Roger (Annie) Stratton of Austin; 18 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Mary Matejcek and Kaye McMillan; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Alice Groh and Mildred Zika; brother, Jim Byrne; and brothers-in-law, Clem Groh, Tom Matejcek, Edward Zika and Wayne McMillan.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 1 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will also be at the church one hour before the service on Friday.