She is survived by her husband of 70 years, George, and their daughter, Susan. Preceding her in death were father Charles, mother Roxie, and brothers Bailey and Frank Moore.
After graduating from Austin High School in 1934, Willie Mae enrolled at UT and was one of the first females to study architecture. To help pay for her college courses, she worked at the University Co-op under Mr. Rather, whom she held in high esteem. A co-worker nicknamed her "Susie" and the name continued to be used by her family throughout her lifetime.
As a young adult, she enjoyed participating in Dr. Wharton's Sunday School class at the University Methodist Church. She also held fond memories of Walter Long's Century Bible Class at University Presbyterian Church, his lectures and the class picnics that sometimes followed.
In 1942, she married George E. Strandtmann. When he was called to serve his country overseas, she helped on the homefront, working tirelessly with the Red Cross.
She and George built a house on Mountainview and lived there until adopting daughter Susan in 1955 when they began drawing up plans and building a house on Balcones Drive. Willie Mae enjoyed gardening and enhanced every home she ever lived in with beautiful plants.
She worked for a number of years at the Texas Legislature and was valued as an organized, conscientious and hard worker.
Willie Mae was a charter member of the Women's Symphony League of Austin. She and husband George served as the League's Jewel Ball chairmen in 1963 and 1964. Willie Mae served as president of the League in 1965 and served on the Austin Symphony Orchestra's board of directors for ten years. She and George helped organize the Knights of the Symphony in 1966. She helped establish Symphony Square, and was instrumental in setting up and staffing the lunchroom service available at The Mercantile when Symphony Square was new. Her hard work led the League's Jewel Ball selection committee to choose daughter Susan to be presented as Diamond in 1973, for which Willie Mae was very pleased.
Willie Mae served as president of the Texas Association of Symphony Organizations (TASO) and chaired the annual TASO conference. She was recognized at the state level for her long service as a volunteer by being presented with the TASO Award of Excellence.
In her later years, she chaired the Jewel Ball committees for food and entertainment, and was in charge of the gift baskets given to the parents of visiting debutantes. The cakes she donated to the silent auction at the Symphony Ball every year always brought top dollar. Willie Mae was recognized as a top fundraiser every year during the Austin Symphony Orchestra's annual phone-a-thon.
As a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, she served for a number of years on the Food Committee for the annual Bazaar. She was pleased that the cakes she donated for auction at the Bazaar each year always brought top dollar.
She was involved in a number of other organizations including the Austin Heritage Society, where she served as president of the Heritage Guild and chaired one of the organization's antique shows. While a member of the Austin Women's Garden Club in the 1950's, she was pleased to earn a judge's certificate.
She was accepted into the Colonial Dames and the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1995, and as a member of the Colonial Dames, served as a docent at the Texas Governor's Mansion from 1996 through 2002.
Willie Mae learned French hand sewing from her beloved grandmother at an early age, and was an accomplished seamstress, sewing and smocking daughter Susan's dresses, as well as making and beading bride's book covers for family and friends.
She could dance a good Charleston at an early age and enjoyed ballroom dancing well into her 80's with husband George as her favorite partner. They were members of the Mayfair Dance Club from 1971 through 1982, and together would wow party guests whenever they hit the floor.
Cooking was recreation for her, and she liked nothing better than to get in the kitchen and "play," as she called it. She was known for her fabulous cakes and other decadent desserts, which she often gave to friends or donated to charity auctions. Staff at the Austin Symphony Office, Breed's, Central Market and Fresh Plus were treated to goodies on a regular basis.
In her later years she enjoyed playing bridge at the Austin Club and in the homes of special friends on a regular basis. As she always said, it was not the competition that she enjoyed, as much as the company of the people playing.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Nancy Foster and her wonderful staff, the doctors and staff of Seton Hospital, as well as Dr. Lob Exline whose kind devotion to her health care is very much appreciated. The family also extends their gratitude to the entire staff of Gracy Woods II, whose care and devotion have been such a wonderful blessing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Women's Symphony League, Austin Symphony Orchestra, or The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, in care of the Willie Mae Strandtmann Memorial Fund.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Interment to follow at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive.
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