Mary Ann Strand

Mary Ann (Roth) Strand Life Story Mary Ann was born on November 14, 1930 in Burt, North Dakota to Edwin and Lillian Roth. She joined her brother, Gordon, and sister, Helen, whom she enjoyed loving relationships with all their lives. Her parents separated, and Lillian and her three children moved to Litchfield, MN to live with Lillian's parents. Mary Ann loved her life in Litchfield and remembered it fondly, telling many stories about her time there. Along with her siblings she cherished her relationships with her grandparents and mother. She had many friends in Litchfield and participated in many activities throughout her years there. She attended grades K-12 in Litchfield and graduated high school in 1948. After high school, Mary Ann attended St. Cloud State University where she met her husband, Clinton Strand. Clint and Mary Ann were married on August 20, 1950 in Litchfield. They were both teachers and lived in Detroit Lakes. Clint became a principal and she found teaching positions in or near schools where Clint worked, many of which were rural. She taught in Height of Land (K-8), Audubon (junior and high school PE), Plainview, Kimball, Dawson, and Madison (all elementary schools). Mary Ann taught for seven years before having children. They were living in Madison when both Robert and Barbara arrived. The family was living back in Detroit Lakes when Richard was born. In 1964 Clint changed careers from working as a principal and coach, to working as a textbook salesman and the family moved to Fridley. Mary Ann returned to her much-loved teaching career. She earned her Bachelor of Science from St. Cloud State University and earned her Master's degree in Special Education from St. Thomas. She taught in Columbia Heights for 25 years; 10 years teaching elementary students and 15 years teaching high school students. She was also a high school cheerleading coach in Columbia Heights. While in Fridley, the family attended St. Philips Lutheran Church where Mary Ann participated in many activities: bible studies, dramas, lector, Sunday School teacher, nursery, call committees, coffee server, and the list goes on. She was her kids biggest and loudest cheerleader and attended all their activities: swimming, band concerts, hockey, wrestling, football - if you couldn't find her in the stands you could hear her! Clint and Mary Ann bought lots on Lake Lida in 1959 and built a cabin for their family to enjoy. Because they were both in education, they moved their family to Lake Lida every summer and returned to Fridley when school started. Mary Ann loved life at Lake Lida and was able to go there every summer for 63 years. While at Lida, she loved the lake life - swimming, gardening, refinishing furniture, reading, canning, and hanging clothes to dry outside. She loved her social life there as she did everywhere she lived. She was active at Trinity Lutheran Church and made many friends, she had many wonderful friends on the beaches of Lida and Crystal lakes and the family all enjoyed a special relationship with Clint's brother, Truman and his family who lived down the beach. Lake Lida was Mary Ann's favorite place, her times there and memories from there brought her much joy. Mary Ann adored her growing family over the years. Barb married Tom and he was a joy to have in her life - her favorite son-in-law. Mary Ann and Clint loved their five grandchildren Marta, Judson, Stephanie, Kelly Ann, and Samantha; and spent a lot of time with them. When Clint and Mary Ann retired, they spent six months at Lida and six months in Fridley. When not living in Fridley or at Lake Lida, they enjoyed traveling together and with their friends. Clint developed Alzheimer's and she became his caregiver for the last of his years. Clint died 20 years ago in 2002 and Mary Ann figured out how to enjoy her life while missing him. Two of her grandkids got married blessing Mary Ann with two bonus grandchildren Trent and Anna whom she loved as her own and made many special memories with. Mary Ann continued traveling, spending time at Lida, enjoying her friendships and welcomed four great grandsons, Evan, Dorian, Livien and Jarven whom she loved dearly. Mary Ann had a zest for life and the people in it. She loved to travel and enjoyed learning about and traveling to many places all over the world. Mary Ann loved food, she loved to eat, she loved to bake cookies and bars, and she was a great cook. Chocolate was her favorite. Most important in her life were the people. She loved her friends and she loved her family. She was upbeat and enthusiastic. She was generous and encouraging. She was intelligent and independent. She was adventurous and fun. She was confident and vivacious. She was a blessing to others and she believed she was very blessed. Mary Ann knew it was time to pass from this sweet life onto her eternal life with God. Five days before she passed, Mary Ann told her family it was time to say goodbye. It was her time to leave. Mary Ann was a person of order. She called people and she said goodbye. She made a special request for her last meal to be delivered - peach yogurt. Family and friends came to see her, spent time with her and said goodbye. It was sad, it was hard, it was good. Mary Ann passed on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Mary Ann was loved by many and will be missed.

Tributes

Mary Ann Strand

November 14, 1930 - January 14, 2023

Tributes

Mary Ann Strand

November 14, 1930 - January 14, 2023

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