Obituary of Michael Ramon Straley

Michael Ramon Straley, 84, passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife Linda (of 48 years), Linda by his side on February 26, 2025 after a long and arduous struggle with COPD. He was born October 13, 1940 to Leroy and Virginia (Roberts) Straley. 

A memorial service will be held April 5, 2025 at Eastern Heights Lutheran Church 616 Ruth St., St. Paul, MN with coffee and goodies and visiting from 10-11 AM with the service at 11 AM.  

Michael is survived by his wife Linda, daughters Susan (Mike) Dukes and Kim (Chad) Dvorak, his sons Michael Ramon Straley II (Michelle) and Kenneth Leroy Straley (Anne); brothers Carl (Mary) Straley, Leland (Donna) Straley, Gene Straley (deceased), sisters Sylvia “Susie” (Roger deceased) Dunlap and Patricia “Annie” (Larry) Moore; grandchildren Steven Anderson, Jeremy Straley, Joshua Bielke (deceased), Jade (Kyle) Lindeman, Liam and Myles Straley, William and Emily Straley; great-grandchildren Levi Lindeman and Fisher Anderson.  Michael so adored his grandchildren and great-grand children and loved to have them visit.  He especially liked watching them learn to swim in the backyard pool. 

Michael was born in VanWert Ohio but moved to Fort Wayne, IN when he was young. 

Michael’s father, Leroy, owned a body shop in Ft. Wayne so Michael grew up around cars – which became important later. 

On October 7, 1958 Michael enlisted in the army and was subsequently sent to Germany in April 1959 where he met his first wife Helga and they had a daughter – Susan (Straley) Dukes in 1961. In 1962 they all came to the US and settled in Fort Wayne, IN.  Michael tried factory work for a bit but it wasn’t a good fit for him so he started Fort Wayne Auto Sales which is still in the family today.  During this period of his life he became a licensed pilot to fly single engine planes and then bought one which he used to go back and forth to Florida and visit the business school he and a friend started. He owned a few horses for riding and rode a motorcycle. 

In 1974 Michael, Helga and Susan moved to Mesa Arizona and in March 1976 they divorced. 

Linda met Michael on her birthday in May of 1976 while she was job hunting and vacationing - mission accomplished – she snagged her dream job - and Michael accompanied her back to MN to pack up everything and drive the UHAUL back to Scottsdale where they had rented a house. They married June 25, 1977 and were pretty much inseparable until his death. 

They purchased a home in Phoenix, with Susan being there much of the time.  Mike II and Ken were born at Scottsdale Memorial Hospital and spent the next few years in that house learning to swim in the pool 

During this time Michael worked for several car dealerships.  Then one day he decided to become a licensed realtor and talked Linda into it also.  This was his niche – he loved talking to people and he loved to make things happen – and he did – he could not stand to be bored so this was a perfect fit for him – he could use his salesmanship and his gift of gab and the joy of getting things accomplished. 

Susan married her love, Bob Anderson, at our home in 1978 and moved to California. 

In 1985 Michael and family moved to Minnesota to be closer to both families, Linda’s in St, Paul and Michael’s in Ft Wayne, IN – an 8-hour drive.  He loved visiting his family and his sister “Susie” lived on a lake so there was pontooning (which he loved) jet skis – not so much – liked fishing with his brother-in-law Roger – as long as the fish were biting and we could have a fish fry. 

Linda had been with World Book Encyclopedia Educational Products in Arizona and continued that in MN and then Michael joined her and together they were Division Managers for the St Paul School District and met many principals, teachers and librarians who welcomed the products and their knowledge of it.  Michael made particularly good friends with 2 principals, Harlan Balken and Gordon “Gordy” Cherveny and they golfed from Minnesota to Florida and points in between. 

Things changed with World Book and Michael went to work at Merit Chevrolet as a sales rep and was there for many years. 

Michael could not stand to be bored – he needed something to always be happening- even if he had to start it. Michael and Linda transferred their licenses to MN from AZ and Linda got her broker’s licenses in MN and WI which then enabled them to start OFFSITE Realty.Com in 1998 and they had brokerage offices in WI, FL and MN.  Ken became licensed and eventually (upon Linda’s retirement from real estate) took over the company. 

Michael loved FL so much he and Linda bought a condo there and he officed from it.  He also LOVED golf which he played nearly every day until his back gave out which was awful for him- he felt unjustly sidelined. 

In 2012 Michael began to drive school buses; he drove school bus in Burnsville, Oakdale, Stillwater and North St. Paul. His declining eyesight would not allow him to drive school bus any longer. 

Michael struggled with alcohol and became involved in AA, ran and organized meetings and sponsored many people - one of whom is the man who is now in charge.  Even through his struggles, AA was a staple in his life and he helped hundreds of people and made many long-lasting friends. 

Michael was a kind hearted soul who fought many demons but through it all he loved his wife, his family and his friends.  He will be missed tremendously.