Obituary of Irene Marion Strand

On July 11, 2023, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Irene Marion Strand, took her last breath and left this world peacefully with her daughter by her side, and knowing the love of her devoted, adoring family as she transitioned to her heavenly home. 

Born Irene Marion Ode in Bismarck, North Dakota, on October 11, 1928, she was one of twelve children. 

Having lost her mother at the tender age of six, she was brought up by her older siblings and her kindhearted and hardworking father, whom she adored.

In June of 1949, Irene married Victor Hilton Strand. Together they raised four children, volunteered with the National Park Service, traveled the country, and sailed the intracoastal waterway. 

After Vic’s passing in 1989, Irene continued a life of service, volunteering with local churches and charities, and a local jail ministry where she touched many lives by sharing God’s Word. She loved genealogy and completely traced our family lineage all the way back to those courageous souls who first put feet on American soil.

Her baking skills were beyond measure. She spent many hours in the kitchen with her grandchildren, and then her great-grandchildren, handing down generations of treasured recipes. Her rubbernecks rarely had a chance to cool, the last western bar could start a fight, and her gingerbread houses became a beloved Christmas tradition. 

Through the eyes of her family, Irene was many things. Beautiful. Dedicated. Tenacious. Faithful. Resilient. Strong. Intuitive. Fun-loving. She loved to dance. She had the biggest, most genuine laugh that lit her eyes with joy. She was brave, often stretching herself beyond her imagination. She learned to swim and sail though she was terrified of water. She never failed to be there when someone needed her. She was a pioneer, a fighter, a protector, and she was our foundation. She was the connective tissue of our family.

Most importantly, she had a strong Christian faith that carried her through her life to the end.  She loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, more than anything and shared that love with family, friends, and everyone she met. Even when other memories began to fade, He was never far from her mind. Every single visit ended with her reminding us that God is love and God is our everything.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Emily (Caudel) Ode; her eleven siblings; her loving husband, Victor Strand; and her beloved grandchild, Steven Wilkinson.

She is survived by four children, Barbara (Timothy) Wilkinson, Margaret “Peggy” Rose, Connie (Richard) Traugh, and Jay (Mary Kay) Strand; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one very large and loving extended family. 

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