Constance "Connie" Marie Strand

Constance (Connie) Marie Strand died peacefully at the age of 90 on December 13, 2021 at The Plaza at Edgemere in Dallas, TX.   Connie was born December 5, 1931 in Ellsworth, WI to Arthur and Martha Cook.  She grew up in Ellsworth, where she graduated valedictorian of her high school class in 1949.   Connie attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Winona State University where she earned a B.S. degree in English.  She met her husband, Oliver E. Strand, while at St. Olaf and they were married April 7, 1953 in Ellsworth, WI.    They became the proud parents of three sons, David, William, and Steven while living in Preston, MN and Lewiston, MN.   After moving to St. Paul/Roseville, MN, Connie worked as an accountant at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for many years.   During that time, she also earned an M.S. degree in English from the University of Minnesota.   She was very active at Roseville Lutheran Church where she was a member of the choir.   After retirement, Connie ultimately moved to Dallas, TX.   She had a life-long love of music and mastered the cornet, the piano, and the organ in addition to singing in many choirs.   Connie also loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially for holidays.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Martha Cook; her husband, Oliver E. Strand; brothers Donald and Robert Cook; sisters Dorothy Larson and Verdell Klecker.   She is survived by her three sons, David (Kathy) Strand, William (Kathleen) Strand, and Steven (Deidre) Strand; grandchildren, Tessera Strand, Luke Strand, Emma (John) Rockwood, Margaret Strand, Thomas Strand, Ian Strand, Greta Strand, and Emily Strand. 

A memorial tribute to Connie will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 4 at Roseville Memorial Chapel in Roseville, MN (2245 Hamline Ave. N.) with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.    A burial service at Roselawn Cemetery will be held at 12:30 p.m. that day.

Memorials are suggested to the Oliver E. Strand Fund at the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences.

(https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/yourgift.html?&cart=2220).

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