Thief River Falls
- Lena "Curly" Strand, 88, died Tuesday, October 24, 2000 at
Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with Rev. Tim Bauer officiating. Dee Wollenzien was the organist, and the soloist was Jan Peterson. Casketbearers were Alantis DeOliveira, Brian Erickson, Matthew Erickson, Leonard Furuseth, Lynn Vad and Clifford Vigness. Military honors were accorded by the Thief River Falls American Legion and VFW Posts. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls with Green Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
Deolinda Mello was born on April 23, 1912 in New Bedford, Ma., the daughter of Frank and Emerlinda (Friar) Mello. She grew up and attended school in New Bedford, graduating from Lincoln High School there in 1929. Lena worked as a speeder tender in tire manufacturing from Firestone Corp.
On October 28, 1943, she enlisted in the U.S. Army at Providence, R.I. and was later transferred to the Army Air Base at New Orleans, La. where she worked with the Army Postal Service. After her discharge on March 16, 1946 at Fort Dix, N.J., she returned to New Bedford. Her service to her country earned her the American Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
On September 8, 1946, Lena was united in marriage to Norman Strand at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls where the couple made their home. Norman died on December 20, 1988.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and American Legion Auxiliary.
Lena enjoyed crossword puzzles, picture puzzles, gardening, knitting and crocheting.
She is survived by one daughter, Debrah (Terrence) Erickson of Sabin; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mary Lima, Emily (Sylvan) DeCarlo and Rose (Joseph) Costa, all of New Bedford, Ma.
Lena was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Tim in 1981; her parents; a sister, Beatrice; and two brothers, Frank and Manuel.
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