TUCSON, Ariz. – Martha Strayer, 88, formerly of Tucson, Ariz.; Warsaw and West Palm Beach, Fla., died Aug. 27, 2016, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born June 15, 1928, in Frankfort, the oldest child of Ivan and Laura Huffer. She met and married Ray L. “Pete” Strayer, a "Midwestern man," at Indiana University, and he preceded her in death. They moved to Warsaw. She loved to read, play her clarinet, ride her bike, and play tennis. As a girl, she and her family moved to West Palm Beach, where she continued to play her clarinet and wrote for the high school newspaper. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington so that she could marry a "Midwestern man.” She studied education, and while at IU, she was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority where she met many lifelong friends. She and her husband started their family with the birth of their first son, Jeffrey, followed by their second son, Daniel, and finally their daughter, Jennifer. While in Warsaw, she raised her family, supported her husband at the Strayer Insurance Agency, and was active in the Presbyterian Church. She loved playing games, especially cards, and she loved to travel with her family. Martha and Pete took their children to all 48 continental states. Additionally, they traveled to six out of seven continents together, and they loved sharing their journeys with others. She loved supporting the arts, especially music. One of her proudest accomplishments was co-founding Riverwood Ranch, Warsaw, which provided a home for area at-risk youth. She loved living in Tucson, where she enjoyed the sunsets over the mountains, long walks with her beloved dogs, and playing tennis multiple times a week. Her favorite times in Tucson were when her family came to visit. She was a lifetime sports fan, especially of the University of Arizona men’s basketball team and the University of Arizona women's softball team. She took several classes at the Pima County Community College and was a lifelong student. Surviving are three children: Jeffrey (and spouse Angela) Strayer and Dan (and spouse Anna) Strayer, all of Fort Wayne; and Jennifer (and spouse Tom) Heidenreich, Noblesville; her five grandchildren: Vanessa (and spouse Ryan) Trammell, Carmel; Aubrey Strayer, Portland, Ore.; Eric (and spouse Anna) Heidenreich, Noblesville; Jessie (and spouse Eric) Sears, Indianapolis; Katie (and spouse Jeff) Wraley, Richmond, Va.; and she had seven great-grandchildren with three more on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Huffer; and her sister, Mary Jane English. A private memorial service will be in Tucson. Martha's family has entrusted Randall & Roberts Funeral Homes, Noblesville, with her care. ***** Anyone wishing to honor her memory can do the following: be generous, love your family, continue your education and travel as much as possible. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 East 91st St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Condolences via www.randallroberts.com.
