Mary Elizabeth Strand

-In Loving Memory- Mary Elizabeth Strand (Carlstrom) was born on July 13, 1941 in Bayport MN. Her mother and father, Elizabeth and Carl Carlstrom were assisted by Dr. Elwyn Strand, the father of her future husband; she was quite proud of that connection. Mary's father died when she was two years old. Her mother raised Mary and her sister Joan and remained a consistent force of strength and devotion throughout the girls lives until her death in 1994. Mary attended Stillwater High School and graduated third in her class. Shortly before graduation she was informed that she was the top student, and she was expected to give a speech at commencement. She purposefully scored poorly on her remaining course work to successfully land in third place and avoid the speech. She attended Gustavus Adolphus Collage where she majored in Elementary Education. After graduating with high honors, she went on to teach first grade at Hopkins Elementary School for the following three years. She began dating Richard Strand during this time. Richard was completing his medical school training in Minneapolis. They were married on December 27, 1963. Richard was inducted into the United States Airforce, and they were sent to Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico where Mary taught school on the base and Richard was the base pediatrician. Mary and Richard adopted their first child, Elizabeth Marie, while in Puerto Rico. When they returned to MN they purchased a house in Bloomington for their growing family while Richard continued his medical training in orthopedic surgery. Four years later they adopted their second child, Kirsten Britt, and they decided to move to what would be their home for more than 50 years. Mary and Richard raised their family there in Bloomington. They spent summer weekends at the cabin they built on Madeline Island and later they escaped Minnesota winters to a stilt house they built on a Florida coastal island. The family enjoyed traveling together - including visiting Sweden with their children and their mothers. Mary did not like skiing but attended skiing trips to make sure everyone had snacks from her magic Mary Poppins purse. Mary continued working in Bloomington public schools while raising their daughters, including nine years as a girl scout troop leader. The only time she stopped taking photos of her family was when she took up the video camera. Mary would narrate the action and interject direction and questions. She loved to see others enjoying themselves and she wanted to capture and chronicle those events. Her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren all have photo books of memories for them to cherish that Mary poured her love and time into. Mary always loved children, especially her seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She loved her daughters. Writer, Teacher, Cook, Baker, Spelling Wiz, Grammer Cop, Troop leader, Time-out Lady, Singer, Gardener, Master Sheller, Painter, Choir Chaperone, Prize Awarder, Contest Judge, Avid Reader, and Frequent Gift Giver. She continued her mother's love and devotion to church, rarely missing Sunday service. She particularly enjoyed the Mount Olivet Spring Sale where she managed the Christmas Department. The excellence in her education, devotion to students and scouts, world travels, lake homes, and island life were all grand to be sure, but her main joy in life was her connection with her family. To her husband. Her Children. Her Grandchildren. Her Great Grandchildren. She will always love you more. To honor and celebrate Mary's life, a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 8 at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 5025 Knox Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419 with 10:00 AM visitation, 11:00 AM service and luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Cathedral of the Pines https://cop.mtolivet.org/ or The American Cancer Society http://www.Cancer.org

Tributes

Mary Elizabeth Strand

July 13, 1941 - March 12, 2026

Tributes

Mary Elizabeth Strand

July 13, 1941 - March 12, 2026

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