Irene Strand

Memorial services for Irene Strand of Morris, formerly of Donnelly, will be held Monday, January 24, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Kongsvinger Lutheran Church, rural Donnelly.  Reverend Rochelle Anderson will be officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Burial will be in the church cemetery at a later date.

Gladys Irene Strand was born on December 14, 1931, to August and Lydia (Ernst) Cin at her family home in Pepperton Township, Stevens County, Minnesota. Irene was baptized on February 28, 1932, at the Church of the Nazarene in Alberta.  She grew up in the Donnelly area and attended country school until the 8th grade.  She then continued her education at Alberta High School, graduating in 1950.  At the age of 14, Irene met Burton Strand, the man of her dreams, while riding the bus.  The two were married on September 28, 1950, in Alberta.  Following their marriage, they made their home on a farm west of Donnelly and started their family.  After her marriage, Irene joined Kongsvinger Lutheran Church in rural Donnelly, she was confirmed Lutheran in 1972. Irene worked outside of the home, first at Fingerhut then later at Jergenson’s Super Valu and Willie’s Super Valu decorating cakes.  After her retirement from Willie’s, she cooked meals at West Central Homes in Morris, the Senior Center in Chokio and Casey’s. Irene worked with her sister-in-law, Lyla Cin, in her drapery business. Burton preceded Irene in death in 2011, she remained on the farm for a time before moving into Morris. She had recently moved to the Minnewaska Lutheran Home and was just settling in at the time of her death.

Irene had many interests and loved doing crafts of all kinds – she was very creative and talented, especially in painting, embroidery and sewing. She was not afraid to try anything new! Irene also looked forward to the annual girl’s trip with her daughters.

In 2016, Irene had the opportunity to be baptized by immersion in Lake Minnewaska near Glenwood by her brother, Leslie and niece, Julie.  She was an active member of the church, teaching Sunday School and serving in the Ladies’ Aide and Homemaker’s Group.

Irene was always in a good mood.  She was very inquisitive, asked a lot of questions, and was hardly shocked by the answers.  Irene loved to visit and going anywhere was never a quick trip as she visited with everyone!  She loved to drive fast! She attended Threshing Bees with Burton, going on road trips and spending time at their cabin on Pelican Lake near Ashby.  Family was extremely important to her; she was always with them! She cherished the time that she was able to spend with her siblings, her kids and grandchildren.

Irene died on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, she was 90 years old.

Irene is survived by her four children: Becky Bergstrom of Donnelly, Bonnie (Craig) Moses of Donnelly, Burdell Strand of Donnelly and Beth (Conrad) Jackson of St. Paul Park; grandchildren: Mindy (Jake) Eystad, Christy Haynes, Jessica (Joe) Oelke, Andrea (Joha) Torma, Samantha (Joe Hanson) Bergstrom, Angela (Michael) Lachowitzer, Dylan (Victoria) Jackson, Eleanor (Tim) Rahn, and Kevin (Sarah) Moses; grandson-in-law: Jeremyah Wittern; 19 great-grandchildren: Aryn Parker, Lee and Garrett Eystad, Destiny and Lydia Pollard, Scarlet Bergstrom-McKee, Daphne, Phoebe, Aria, and Quinton Oelke, Jada Wittern, Mason, Sawyer, and Kalevi Torma, Rodney Jackson, Luke and Logan Lachowitzer, and Vivian and Fredrick Rahn; one brother-in-law: Merlyn Strand of Coon Rapids and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Burton; granddaughter, Nicole Wittern, great-granddaughter, Briar Bergstrom-McKee; sons-in-law: Charles Bergstrom and David Haynes; siblings: Phyllis (Ed) Windom, Wallace (Della) Cin, Orlyn (Lucille) Cin, Merlyn (Lyla) Cin, and Leslie (Lyla) Cin; and sister-in-law, Nancy Strand.

Pedersen Funeral Home is in care of arrangements for Irene.