1927
Ronald
2008
Ronald Weldon Strand
January 16, 1927 — March 14, 2008
Munising
Ronald Weldon Strand, age 81, of 320 W. Superior Street, Munising, was reunited with his wife and best friend Jeanne on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 2:40 a.m. at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on January 16, 1927 in Munising to Carl and Grace (Masters) Strand, Sr. He attended Lincoln School and Wm. G. Mather High School. Ron entered into the U.S. Navy at the age of seventeen and finished his high school diploma while in the military. While in the Navy, Ron was aboard the U.S.S. Callaghan Destroyer and served in the Asiatic Pacific Area during WWII. He earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Area Ribbon, and Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon with two Stars of engagement. After the War, Ron worked at the Munising Paper Company from 1946 until 1949. He worked as a cook in the English Room Steak House at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee and then spent a little time logging in Washington. He entered into the U.S. Army in 1949. Ron was an Army Paratrooper and cook. He earned the Parachutist Badge before being discharged in 1963. Ron went to Flint and learned the trade of refrigeration. On October 29, 1965, he married Jeanne Boyak. From 1966 until 2007 he owned and operated Strand Refrigeration. In 1975, Ron entered into the U.S. Army National Guard. While in the National Guard at the 1146th Engineer Detachment Dining Facility, he won the Connely Award which is awarded for the cleanliest kitchen. It was ranked first in Michigan and second cleanest in the U.S.A. He retired from the military service in 1990. He worked for the Dept. of Corrections where he was the Food Service Leader from 1983 until 1990 at Camp Cusino. He loved to cook and work with his hands. Ron was meticulous with his tools and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time in the woods. He loved the Green Bay Packers and loved animals. Even as a child, he would bring home stray dogs and cats. Ron always looked out for the underdog and was always willing to help those in need. He could find the good in everyone.
He is survived by children - Cheryl (Larkin) Trainham of Crawford, Alabama, Cindy Fuqua of Phenix City, Alabama, Willie Strand of Columbus, Ohio, and Chris (Louis) Miron of Munising; grandchildren - Jessica Trainham, Gabrielle Gallatin, Jessica and Madelyn Fuqua, and Jordan, Mike, Matthew, Stephan, Nick, Amy Jean, and Joshua Miron; siblings - Carl "Corky" (Beverly "Babe") Strand, Betty Lou (Malcolm) Brown, Judy (Jerry) Cromell, and Bonnie Winkowski; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his wife of over forty-two years Jeanne on January 14, 2008, his parents Carl and Grace, sister Gwen (Walt) Hamilla, and brother-in-law Larry "Winks" Winkowski.
Visitation will be at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. the Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military honors. A Parish Vigil and time for sharing of stories and memories will immediately follow the Veterans. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.
Ronald Weldon Strand, age 81, of 320 W. Superior Street, Munising, was reunited with his wife and best friend Jeanne on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 2:40 a.m. at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising. He was born on January 16, 1927 in Munising to Carl and Grace (Masters) Strand, Sr. He attended Lincoln School and Wm. G. Mather High School. Ron entered into the U.S. Navy at the age of seventeen and finished his high school diploma while in the military. While in the Navy, Ron was aboard the U.S.S. Callaghan Destroyer and served in the Asiatic Pacific Area during WWII. He earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Area Ribbon, and Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon with two Stars of engagement. After the War, Ron worked at the Munising Paper Company from 1946 until 1949. He worked as a cook in the English Room Steak House at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee and then spent a little time logging in Washington. He entered into the U.S. Army in 1949. Ron was an Army Paratrooper and cook. He earned the Parachutist Badge before being discharged in 1963. Ron went to Flint and learned the trade of refrigeration. On October 29, 1965, he married Jeanne Boyak. From 1966 until 2007 he owned and operated Strand Refrigeration. In 1975, Ron entered into the U.S. Army National Guard. While in the National Guard at the 1146th Engineer Detachment Dining Facility, he won the Connely Award which is awarded for the cleanliest kitchen. It was ranked first in Michigan and second cleanest in the U.S.A. He retired from the military service in 1990. He worked for the Dept. of Corrections where he was the Food Service Leader from 1983 until 1990 at Camp Cusino. He loved to cook and work with his hands. Ron was meticulous with his tools and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time in the woods. He loved the Green Bay Packers and loved animals. Even as a child, he would bring home stray dogs and cats. Ron always looked out for the underdog and was always willing to help those in need. He could find the good in everyone.
He is survived by children - Cheryl (Larkin) Trainham of Crawford, Alabama, Cindy Fuqua of Phenix City, Alabama, Willie Strand of Columbus, Ohio, and Chris (Louis) Miron of Munising; grandchildren - Jessica Trainham, Gabrielle Gallatin, Jessica and Madelyn Fuqua, and Jordan, Mike, Matthew, Stephan, Nick, Amy Jean, and Joshua Miron; siblings - Carl "Corky" (Beverly "Babe") Strand, Betty Lou (Malcolm) Brown, Judy (Jerry) Cromell, and Bonnie Winkowski; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his wife of over forty-two years Jeanne on January 14, 2008, his parents Carl and Grace, sister Gwen (Walt) Hamilla, and brother-in-law Larry "Winks" Winkowski.
Visitation will be at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. the Alger County Veterans Council and American Legion Honor Guard will conduct military honors. A Parish Vigil and time for sharing of stories and memories will immediately follow the Veterans. Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.
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