STRAUSS, FERNE SHEPHERD (1925 ~ 2019). The following is an obituary for Ferne Strauss, spouse of Henry James Strauss, former district court judge. The obituary was published in the December 4, 2019 edition of the Blanco County News.
Ferne Shepard Strauss, 94, died on Nov. 26, 2019, at The Henry House in Blanco, Texas. She was born to J.C. and Mary Shepard of Wicks, Arkansas on Nov.21, 1925.
After graduating high school, she took a job with Western Union. At 17 years old, she boarded a train and went to Raymondville, Texas. She said it was "the end of the world." There she married G.O."Roddy" Dreyer in 1945. She had two sons, worked, and went to school nights and summers until she earned her bachelors and masters degrees. She taught in the Raymondville School System and later taught English at Pan American University.
After Roddy's death in 1972, Ferne joined the Peace Corps and went to Malaysia for two years. There she met her dear, lifelong friend, Jamari Salleh. When she returned, she resumed teaching at Pan American University.
Ferne then met Judge Henry J. Strauss Jr. from Abilene, Texas, and began a life of travel and adventure. They were married in 1983 and traveled the world together until his death in 2012.
She was preceded in death by her parents, G.O. "Roddy" Dreyer in 1972, and Judge Henry J. Strauss Jr. in 2012.
She is survived by sons Alan G. Dreyer (Paula) of Blanco, and Gerry S. Dreyer of Mission, Texas; stepchildren Jana Kleiser (David) of New York City, New York, and Ted Strauss (Robin Rybarczyk) of Corvallis, Oregon.
Grandchildren Timothy L Dreyer (Leithi), Michelle Belden (Jason), James M. Dreyer (Yvonne), Kayla Dreyer, Clint Dreyer, Eric Dreyer (Cassie), George M. Dreyer (Kristin), Marie Andrews (Dusty), Paul Strauss, and Grant Kleiser. She has 17 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the Henry House staff and the Hill Country Hospice staff for their exemplary care and compassion during Ferne's illness.
A memorial service will be held at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 218 Pittsburg St., Blanco, on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice.
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