Shirley Faye Strand age 91 of Marshall, formerly of Tracy, passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Morningside Heights in Marshall. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 1 at the Tracy United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 31 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Tracy Area Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to services at church on Thursday. Interment is in the Tracy City Cemetery. Memorials will be shared with the local services for the blind, Hospice and the Tracy United Methodist Church.
Shirley Faye (Lussenhop) Strand was born on August 31, 1926 in Redwood Falls, MN to Rose Augusta (Diekmeier) and William Albert Lussenhop. She was baptized and confirmed in the Morton Methodist Church. Shirley attended Redwood County country schools for eight years. She graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1944 as class salutatorian. On December 3, 1948, she and Donald Wayne (Bud) Strand were united in marriage at the Methodist Church in Redwood Falls. They made their home in Redwood Falls before moving to Tracy, MN in 1953, where they worked and raised their eight children. Shirley worked at various jobs during her lifetime, remaining employed well past the age of eighty. Prior to her marriage to Bud, she worked in a law office, an unemployment office and for an insurance agent. After her marriage to Bud, Shirley worked for the Tracy Savings and Loan, the Marshall Turkey Plant and as a waitress. In 1968, she and Bud purchased and operated Shirley’s Café for eight years. In 1974, they purchased the Mobil Bulk Plant and she worked as the bookkeeper. After she retired, Shirley remained actively employed working in the school lunch program and for HIS Rehabilitation Services. She had a strong work ethic, enjoying going to work and being with people. As a life-long member of the Tracy United Methodist Church, Shirley served on various church circles and committees. She was also a member of Tracy Eagles Auxiliary and the Tracy Legion Auxiliary serving as an officer for most of her sixty years of membership. Shirley enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed spending her time reading, gardening, knitting, sewing, making crafts and relaxing at the lake.
Shirley is survived by her children: Dwayne (Rita) Strand of Chanhassen, Vickie (Steven) Larson of Sioux Falls, Randy (Lisa) Strand of Adrian, Terry (Carol) Strand of Tracy, Barbara (Richard) Visker of Pipestone, Bradley (Toni) Strand of Lynd, Kelli (Brian) Gerry of Sioux Falls and son-in-law Jerry Howe; 16 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald ‘Bud’; her daughter, Linda Howe; her parents, William and Rose Lussenhop; her sister, Eileen (died in infancy); and her sister and brother-in-law, Iva and Willis Kessler.
Blessed be her memory.
Vickie, Barb and Family…
Sorry for your loss and blessed be her soul. You all and she were blessed with 91 years. God is Good!
Our sympathy to the Strand Family
I am sorry for your loss. What a work ethic! And what service. I can imagine her greeting her customers and the conversations in her cafe.
Randy, Lisa and family, So sorry to hear of your loss. She sounded like an exceptional lady. Cherish your memories. In sympathy, Nan
To all of Shirley’s children, daughter-in-laws, son-in-laws, grandchildren, all who knew and loved her, thoughts, prayers, and love to all as you celebrate Shirley’s long, interesting, fulfilling life. Oh gosh the years of memories and with eight children, too, there are millions! Always so very sad and difficult to let especially our parents go to journey home. As you reflect on your moments together I pray those give you immeasurable joy as the days come and go and hold her in your heart always! Think of all the loved ones waiting to greet and love her. God’s grace to all – Rhonda Cooreman Bosacker
Roberto Reyes and Family are sending our deepest condolences to the Strand family during this time.
Dwayne & Rita – Sorry to hear about the loss of your mom and mother-in-law. Mike Gaffaney
Dear Shirley’s Family- Brent and I want to express our deepest sympathies to each of you. It seems as we get older there are more farewells for those who helped us grow up! Please know your Mom is remembered fondly by us. Praying for good weather, safe travels and great memories ??????! Love to each of you, Brent & Deb
Dear Dwayne, Rita and Strand family such a nice memorial written about your mother, she looks and sounds like a darling, lovely, warm-hearted lady.
My deepest sympathy and condolences to you and your family.
Cindy Celany
Dear Brad, Toni and Winston, Darrel and I send our deepest Sympathies. May the Lord guide you in your grief and and give you strength! God Bless you all! Love Darrel and Judy Hodne
Larry and Linda Retzlaff send their deepest sympathy to the Strand family.
Our sympathy to Shirley’s family. Always enjoyed visiting with her at Cornerstone Church in Marshall on Sunday mornings.
Condolences to the Strand family – our next door neighbors for so many years in Tracy – on the loss of a very nice lady. We’ll be sending prayers your way.
Condolences to Vickie, Terry, and the Strand family. She was a great lady. I had a nice visit with her, last summer, at Food Pride in Tracy. My prayers to your family.