Linda Straka

Linda “Lynne” Katherine Straka, 72, of Brenham, Texas, passed away on May 18, 2024, and is now walking the beaches with our Heavenly Father.  Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brenham, TX.  

Lynne was born on July 27, 1951 in Houston, Texas, to parents Johnnie and Gertrude (Galla) Straka.   She was baptized on August 5, 1951 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Houston, Texas, and confirmed on April 16, 1961 also at St. Theresa Catholic Church.  She attended St. Theresa’s Catholic School in Houston, and graduated from Spring Branch High School in Houston in 1969.  Lynne was a lifetime member of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Spring Branch, Texas, and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church after her move to Brenham.  

Lynne and her daughter had a very special bond and she was her daughter’s biggest fan.  She also loved animals and was known to feed animals anywhere she found them - on trips, at work or near her home.  She especially loved her rescue dog, Jack.  They were inseparable and also had a special bond with each other.  Lynne loved the beach and travelling with her daughter.  Her favorite travel destinations were Carmel, California and Lahaina, Hawaii.  She also loved Mexican bottled cokes, any type of sweets, her favorite escargot, plants and flowers, and she enjoyed watching reality TV shows.  She had an infectious laugh but also had “no filter” and often told it like it was.

Throughout Lynne’s travels, she made lifetime friends, from those she met.  She loved her family and also loved Shannon’s many friends and their children.  As a child, she dreamed of being a racecar driver and a nun – even practicing communion during her play time.  She was a caring person and enjoyed helping others during her different careers over the years.  Her love of plants led her to be the owner of Lynne’s Green Plant Nursery.  Later in life she was a beloved member of The Kenney Store and the Hilton Hotel family.  Lynne will be remembered for her stylish attire and signature red lipstick and fingernails.

Lynne is survived by her daughter Shannon Stevens; her honorary daughter Liz King-Wittu; her former husband and friend Ernie Torrez; beloved pet Jack Straka; brothers and sister-in-law Jan Straka and Gary and Gaylan Straka; special aunt and Godmother Nancy Galla; special cousins:  Monica King, Veronica Frederick, Melisa Federick, Robert Galla, Gilbert Galla, Michael Gummelt, Gregory Galls, Shirley Mabasa, Richard Galls, Lambert Havelka and Gertude Addicks; beloved extended Torrez family and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Rita Straka David.

Memorials in memory of Lynne can be given to Dog Ranch Rescue, Anna, Texas (dogranchrescue.com/make-a-donation).