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Guenther Straesser Obituary
Guenther Straesser, 67, died peacefully on March 26, 2013 from complications of surgery. Born in Kitzbühel, Austria on June 13, 1945, he spent his childhood in Germany, immigrating to the US with his mother in 1954. After graduating from Sacramento High, he served in the Army in Vietnam and later received his BA/teaching credential from SF State University. Guenther worked more than twenty years at Golden Gate Transit, retiring in 2008. He will be profoundly missed by his wife, Judith Ehret; daughter Natasha Hysell of Springfield, Oregon; son James Straesser of Santa Rosa; grandchildren Dana, Morgan, and Travis. A service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2 pm at Saint Rose Parish Hall, 398 Tenth St., Santa Rosa 95401.
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Memories and Condolences
for Guenther Straesser
jerry jeter
March 24, 2023
The memories never fade.
Peace
Dave Witter
March 23, 2023
10th anniversary. Picture taken at Northwood aka Golf Heaven on Earth.
Tadd Smith
March 23, 2022
Say hi to Mike when you see him. God Bless you both. We are all meeting at Lena's someday and drinks are on me.
Jerry Jeter
March 23, 2022
Not forgotten.
Peace
Jerry Jeter
March 31, 2021
Time goes by, but the memories always remain. We have many memories and proud to call you "Friend" Peace
Jerry Jeter
March 24, 2020
Dave Witter's post of March 24, 2019 says it all. "The Group" gets together in different configurations from time to time. When we get together we do not even have to say it....."We miss Guenther". How could we not!! There are so many great memories!! Peace and Love to All
Dave Witter
March 24, 2019
Guenther's spirit is at every golf, wine tasting and social event with his friends, to this day. A beautiful day with the gang at the Exploratorium Pi - day on March 14.
Judith Ehret
May 1, 2013
Guenther at Jenner
May 1, 2013
Judie, James, and Guenther
Judith Ehret
May 1, 2013
Judie, Inge, and Guenther
May 1, 2013
Judith Ehret Straesser
April 20, 2013
I love you.
Singing "The Happy Wandere" for Guenther
Terry Ehret
April 17, 2013
Buddha of the Waterfall
for Guenther Straesser
Sunlight on the wild spray
of river dancing over rocks,
children ‘round him calling out,
he turns, lifts both his arms,
and, smiling, welcomes this delight:
bracing water and simple joy
after a hot midsummer hike—
Buddha of the waterfall.
One spring, he came with flats of sprouts,
then mingling his gardener's hands
with the children's in the soil,
he planted mounds of yellow squash,
tomatoes, basil, beans, and corn,
so thick we had to squeeze to walk
between the summer-ripening rows.
Buddha of the garden.
Hiking the rocky trail to Cliff
or steep climb up to Heart,
under Shasta's snowy shoulders,
or by Tahoe's cobalt depths,
he loved the lure of wooded path,
the serenity of alpine lakes,
Sierras, Trinities, Cascades—
Buddha of the mountain.
We felt his quiet, gentle touch,
the hand extended to a friend.
His smile, his generosity, his love
endeared him deeply to us all.
His flaw—a heart grown too large
to keep his spirit with us,
brother, companion, husband, father —
Buddha of the tender heart.
Sunlight on the wild spray
of river dancing over rocks,
children ‘round him calling out,
he turns, lifts both his arms,
and, smiling, welcomes this delight:
bracing water and simple joy
after a hot midsummer hike—
Buddha of the waterfall.
Terry Ehret, April 6, 2013
Carol Fregly
April 14, 2013
Judy,
The deep and sincere thoughts expressed here are proof of what you already know: Guenther touched many people in his too short time on earth. Perhaps the best way to honor what he gave us is to share his special brand of kindness and gentleness with others. Love, Carol
Linda Haring
April 12, 2013
Judie, thank you for letting me say my final goodbye to Guenther all the way here in Delaware. He was such a big part of my life. My thoughts and prayers to you and all of family. I know how much he was loved by all of us, and I feel blessed to have had him as part of my life. Sympathy to all of you. Linda in Delawre
Stephanie Moreno
April 5, 2013
My sincere sympathy goes out to Judie, Guenther's family and friends. He was an amazing man and will be missed more than words can begin to describe. Guenther met my mom when I was around 8 years old and he has been family for the last 26 years since that time. I loved hanging out with everyone for football Sunday's while growing up, and Guenther was definitely a favorite of mine. He taught me things that I probably shouldn't write here : ) , he had a taste for good food and great wine which I would like to think he passed along to the rest of us. More than anything he introduced my Mom to Lou who has changed my Mom's life, and mine (and my kids) forever. Lou is a 2nd Dad to me and so much more...I can not even imagine our lives without him. Without Guenther we wouldn't even know Louie or any of the other great friends who we gained only because we knew Guenther and for that I am forever grateful. Guenther I don't think anyone is ready to say good-bye to you yet and certainly not my mom, or Lou, or I. You left this world much too soon and will be missed so so much!! We love you, and will honor and remember you always.
Love,
Stephanie, Miguel, Des, and Mateo Moreno
April 5, 2013
My dear old friend...we had so many good years and will not stop staying in touch. I pray for you and your family for always. You will never be forgotten. Fernando
Benito & Rosa Almanza
April 5, 2013
Our condolences to Judy, Natahsa and James.
May your wonderful memories get you through this difficult time.
Guenther was a dear friend who will always bring fond memories when thinking of him.
Benito and Rosa
April 5, 2013
Judy, our deepest sympathy to you and the family. I will miss our quarterly meetings for lunch with Guenther. Have fond memories of junior and high school together. Love Don and Diane Ritter
April 4, 2013
Dear Judi & Family
I am sorry I have taken so long to write but I have some challenges I am in the middle of as I write. When I think back of my college days I had the absolute wonderful opportunity to be a part of brother and sisterhood that has endured for over 30 years. Those times, for a young "pup" who had never been away from home and quite insecure, were the best times of my life and Gunther was part of that brotherhood. Oh my did we have some great times. Those moments are ones that I can and never will forget. Even though our lives took different paths, whenever we saw one another it was as though we were still that same crazy, wild mischievous bunch just older. The "X" factor was we did it with class. Gunther was a class act and I loved him as I love all of the "gang".....Peace and Love...Jerry
April 3, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the family and know he will be remembered in my prayer! Bonnie Baross Benedetti
Guenther at Caitlin Moe's Wedding, 2009
Terry Ehret
April 3, 2013
Judie and Guenther at Christmas
Terry Ehret
April 3, 2013
Guenther and Maureen at Caitlin's Wedding
Terry Ehret
April 3, 2013
Don, the girls, and I hold Guenther in a very special place in our hearts. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.
Lynda Boone
April 3, 2013
Thank you Judy for letting me know. He was great friend and will be missed. I am praying for you and your children.
The Hersch Wedding 1979
David & Mary Hersch
April 2, 2013
David & Mary Hersch
April 2, 2013
We are so sad to hear the news about Guenther, our old friend from long-ago. We had so many fun adventures at SFSU and during our post-college years around San Francisco. Guenther was quite a character and a really good guy. Our sincere condolences to his family.
April 2, 2013
Judy, we are thinking of you & your Family, with much love. Dan will be there this weekend..Our love, Joy & Dan King
Scot Caristi
April 2, 2013
Condolences from
Scot at Golden Gate Transit.
Shirley Tarrant & girls
April 2, 2013
Judie, the girls & Us send our love & best wishes during this new transition time for oyu. May Peace abide always and GOd draw you near. Love you
John & Joan Sherman
April 2, 2013
Guenther, Guenther, Guenther ...
Sabine Stetson
April 2, 2013
Ruhe in Frieden, lieber Guenther. Wir werden dich vermissen! Heartfelt condolences to your family! Love and blessings to all!
Jack Nissen
April 2, 2013
Very fond memories of Guenther and Ron, and their antics and pranks at SFSU. RIP.
Tadd and Patty Smith
April 1, 2013
Goodbye, Gun. You were a good friend and we will miss you.
Deb Buettner
March 31, 2013
Remember the college days: dish room, clean up crew, studying(?), car rallies, pizza etc. You are missed.
Love Deborah (Cohen) Buettner
Kathy Lopes
March 31, 2013
Will miss him, even though it has been a long time since we had spoken. Remember bringing his mom to the wedding and I wore the exact same color as the bridesmaid's dresses. Everyone wondered who I was.
The Gang
March 31, 2013
Tahoe - Guenther & Judy
March 31, 2013
Tahoe Wine Weekend
March 31, 2013
Tahoe - 1991: Gun, Lou, Denise, Barb (& Judy's arm!)
March 31, 2013
Tahoe Wine Weekend - 1988
March 31, 2013
Lou and Guenther
March 31, 2013
Relaxing after the Witter wedding - 1988
March 31, 2013
Tahoe Wine Weekend 1987
March 31, 2013
Tahoe Wine Weekend - 1986
March 31, 2013
March 31, 2013
Lou and Denise Baross
March 30, 2013
we shared so many good times through out his life's journey. he is missed
Chuck, Gun, Lou, Tadd
March 30, 2013
Tahoe Wine Weekend
March 30, 2013
Northwood, Guerneville
March 30, 2013
Linda, Jerry and Dave
Dave Witter
March 30, 2013
Tadd's 50th
Dave Witter
March 30, 2013
60th Birthday
Dave Witter
March 30, 2013
Wedding
Dave Witter
March 30, 2013
Northwood Golf
Dave Witter
March 30, 2013
Wedding Day
David and Leigh Ann Witter
March 30, 2013
Thanks for the memories and all the good times. My sympathy goes out to Judy, Natasha and James for your loss.
March 29, 2013
condolences from the crew at division 2 golden gate transit. Brian and Harold
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