Helen A. Strand, age 104, of Oak Grove died March 11, 2014 at home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 18th at Glen Cary Lutheran Church, 15531 Central Ave NE, Ham Lake. Visitation one hour prior to the service and also from 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday, March 17th ALSO AT THE CHURCH. Interment Oak Leaf Cemetery in East Bethel.
Helen Amalia Strand,age 104 of Oak Grove. Passed away peacefully at home in her sleep March 11, 2014. Born June 2, 1909 in Harmony, MN to Jacob and Carrie Strand. Graduate of Winona State Teachers College, (2 yr), St. Olaf College, (BA), University of Minnesota, (MA, PhD). Taught primary school in rural Harmony (Big Springs), Donaldson, Lockhart, Spring Grove, and Aitkin, MN. Lieutenant USNR (WAVES) during WWII, Navy Department, Bureau of Ordinance. Also worked at the War Department, Post Office Department and Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. before returning to Minnesota to pursue her MA and PhD. Professor of Education at Luther College, 1954-1974. Fulbright lecturer, Cuttington College, Liberia, 1966. Director of Students, Upward Bound Program, Liberia, 1969-1972. American Lutheran Church missionary teaching at Balob Teachers College, Lae, Papua New Guinea, 1974-1979. During retirement she was a board member of “The Box Project”, helping to support a Mississippi family by periodically sending boxes of food and clothing. Also volunteered at the Center for Victims of Torture, taught Sunday School at Glen Cary and served on the Glen Cary Mission committee. Faith, family, friends, education and travel were the most special things in her life. Preceded in death by her parents, brother Arthur Strand, sisters Bessie Blatchly and Marion Strand Carlson, and all of her first cousins, (American and Norwegian). Survived by sister Elizabeth (Dale) Reishus, nephews Allen, Howard and James (Carol) Strand, Jacoby (Bev Kelley), Diek, and Achim (Wendy) Carlson, Bob and Tom Reishus; nieces Corrine Mix, Chris (Bruce) Beaubien, Renee Anderson, Heidi (Marc Blackburn) Severson and Patti Post. All of the children of her nieces and nephews, other relatives, friends and former students.
My father was a collegue of Dr. Strand’s at Luther College and, growing up in Decorah, Iowa, she was an important part of my childhood and later life. After retirement, she stayed in contact with my family and even visited my folks in Decorah a few years ago, at the age of 100. She was a very special lady, even though she never brought me that monkey from New Guinea which she promised me as a child! (A long-time family joke!) :)
Helen and my mother were classmates and best friends in Harmony, MN. We had a lovely visit at Luther’s Homecoming and Helen gave me a Harmony High School Class of 1925 picture. Precious.
I got to know Helen when we volunteered together weekly at the Center for Victims of Torture (when she was in her 80s!). We stayed in touch and in the last few years some other CVT friends and I came up to see her about once a year for lunch. We admired and enjoyed her sharp mind and unbeatable spirit. Helen truly lived a life worth celebrating.
Helen was an instructor at Luther when I attended there. I was not lucky enough to have been in one of her classes, but I often noticed her running across campus, I suppose to get to class. What a wonderful surprise I had when my family joined Glen Cary Lutheran to see that she was a member there. I always counted her as a close friend and a wonderful blessing in my life. She always visited with my children and later my grandchildren, treating them as if they were the most important people in her life at that particular moment. She had such precious gifts and so much energy! I am so lucky to have had her in my life.
Helen was a great friend and teacher. She touched many lives in ways unimaginable from the United States to Liberia and Papua New Guinea. Fond memories of her will remain with all her stuents and friends in Liberia.
Dr. Helen Strand cared about each of her students as people, enriching their lives, not simply educating them in her classroom. My twin sister Arline and I were two of those students. Several years ago, with Helen’s blessing, I provided major funding for an endowed scholarship in honor of Dr. Helen Strand at Luther. 3-5 students receive financial aid from it yearly, Anyone can contribute to the fund to help ensure it continues to grow and provide aid in Dr. Helen Strand’s name to deserving Luther students. Dr. Strand was a treasure we remember fondly and often.
My deepest love and sympathy to the family. May God, our Creator comfort each of you and give everlasting rest to Dr. Stand. She touched my life and the lives of many in my homeland, Liberia, West Africa. We were grateful for the Student Upward Bound Program (SUB) and the life changing experience. “REST IN PEACE”
Dr. Strand is one of my all time favorite elders who was always willing to share herself, her wisdom and a piece of Minnesota history with others. I loved her smile and her energy and the twinkle in her eye. I also appreciate her deep commitment to the young people of Liberia. My deepest sympathy to her family, especially to Jacoby. May her soul rest in perfect peace.
We were both honored to serve together with Helen Strand on the Board of The Box Project for several years. Traveling to Mississippi with her to visit our “families” was always a highlight of the year. Helen was an inspiration to all of us having volunteered at MCFS in Rolling Fork, MS well into her 80’s! We will miss her smile and her great wisdom. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.
Miss Helen Strand will be missed by my family and I. We are the Sumner family. We lived in Mississippi and she has helped over 30 years. We will miss you greatly and she will never be forgotten. We love you always.