Yvonne Joy McLean Strand, age 91, daughter of Melvin and Martha Olson McLean

July 20, 1932 — October 1, 2023

Yvonne “Vonnie” Strand graduated as valedictorian from Adams High School in Adams, ND, and received her teaching degree from Moorhead State Teachers College. Her first teaching position was in Portland, ND, where her students coaxed her into meeting their uncle, and her soon-to-be husband, Marlow. She married Marlow Strand in August,1953, and they spent 70 years together raising a family of four in West Fargo, ND, and Anoka, MN. Once her children were in school, Vonnie poured her heart into teaching preschool. In addition to being a gentle and treasured nurturer of early learners, she enthusiastically shared her love of sewing, bird-watching and gardening with her friends and family. Retirement brought Vonnie to the family’s lake home in Brainerd, MN, a place where she welcomed friends and family throughout the years to share meaningful fun and frivolity.

Yvonne is survived by her husband, Marlow; daughter, Deborah (Bob Marszalek); son, Don (Julie); daughter, Shirley Yvonne (Brian) Snyder; and daughter, Julie (Lance) Strand; nine grandchildren: Joe Marszalek, Greg Strand, James Strand, Jordan Strand, Shannon Strand, Scott Strand, Katie Snyder, Woody Strand, and Jesse Strand; great-grandsons Alex, Dakota, and Sky, and great-granddaughter, Evelyn Yvonne; sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Lyle Hillman; and sisters-in-law, Opal Strand, Evelyn Strand, and Helen Strand.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Marvin Borgeson; brother and sister-in-law, David and Lois McLean; sisters-in-law, Myrtle Kville and Solveig Jondahl; and brothers-in-law, Jens, Elmer, Gilman, Hartvick (“Shocky”), Ardell, and Robert.

Vonnie passed at home on October 1, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa, MN, on Thursday, October 5, at 1:00pm. Visitation will be one hour prior. Burial service will be held at the Aurdal Cemetery in Portland, ND, on Friday, October 6, at 1:00pm. The Nisswa service will be live-streamed at https://www.lccnisswa.org

If desired, memorials may be directed to “PEO Foundation — CJ Anniversary Fund” and mailed to: Chris Roberts, 21776 Raider Court, Crosby, MN 56441; or to “Lutheran Church of the Cross Scholarship Fund” and mailed to: Nisswa LCC, PO Box 29, Nisswa, MN, 56468.

The family wishes to thank St. Croix Hospice for their guidance and support.