Rhonda Lee Straayer

Aged 69, born to parents Lawrence and Alice (Rice) Larson on July 12, 1953 in Trona, California and deceased (she will never die, in our hearts) on January 10, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. “Willow” is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Steven “Doc” Straayer; brother, Leo (Helen) Larson, of LaJolla California; children, Matthew (Michelle) Gurule’, Austin (Kellie) Gurule’, Gayle (Tim) Gallagher and Ryan (Sedef) Gurule’; grandchildren, William and Henry (Matt) Gurule’, Rio and Rook (Austin) Gurle’, Gwendolyn and Emilia (Gayle) Gallagher and Atesh (Ryan) Gurule’ all of Northern California, and her BFF Kathy Gavin. She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence Larson and Alice Hughes.

Rhonda’s love for people led her to obtain a Baccalaureate degree in Social Work from Long Beach State University in California. After completing her degree Rhonda married her first husband and raised four wonderful children while working as a Teacher’s Aide in Northern California. In the next chapter of her life, she moved to Jackson, Michigan and married the Love of her life. She continued working first as a Teacher’s Aide for a few years and then as an Aide on the Countryside Retirement Campus until she retired.

An avid baseball fan, she continued to root for 'her' Giants while adopting the Tigers as her favorite American League Team (the 2012 Fall Classic was a conflicted time in our household). She also learned to enjoy wine tasting while traveling to Sonoma County to visit her precious Grandchildren, the true joy of her life. Rhonda was happiest when she was caring for others. Her kind and giving spirit will live on in the hearts of all who love her. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and we will sprinkle the Ashes of our beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother in a Sunny Meadow in Sonoma County California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cascades Humane Society (she loved the little critters, too!).