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Dea Ann Strand
06/30/1932 — 11/13/2012
From West, Richland, WA, US | Born in Lyman, WA
Dea Ann Strand
Dea Ann Nelson Strand, 80, passed away on November 13, 2012 after a courageous year-long battle with leukemia. She was born on June 30, 1932 in Lyman, WA to Edolf and Maudie Nelson. Dea grew up nearMount Vernon, WA on a dairy farm. Shortly after High School graduation, she married NeilStrand and over the next decade gave birth to five children.
Survivors include her sister Beth Bart of Lynnwood, WA, children, Steven Strand Anne of San Anselmo, CA, Linda Strand Bill Leiber of Wenatchee, Stanley Strand Robbie of Pasco, Laurel Strand-Andring Clint of Richland, and Leslie Roller Al of West Richland. Her much beloved grandchildren include Courtney, Patrick, Amy, Megan, Nicholas, Bryan, Eric, Emily, Shawn, Sarah, Hannah, Kevin, Rachel, Jillian, Logan, great-grandson Peyton, also her cherished pets Loki and Ilka.She was preceded in death by her husband Neil O. Strand. Educated as a Registered Nurse, she worked many years in the Pediatric and Emergency Departments of Our Lady of Lourdes Health Center. Dea was a woman of many talents and interests. She was involved in many activities with her children including Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H, and was an avid gardener, horse and cattle rancher. Dea spent over a decade on the West Richland Park Board helping to develop both Flat Top Park and Bombing Range Sport Complex, andalso participated in Questers Literary Group. In later years, she pursued her artistic talents as an active quilter, supporter of Allied Arts Association, and founding participant of the Tri-City Long Arm Guild. She had so many interests we can't begin to list them. She will be dearly missed by her family and all of those who knew and loved her.
Dea, your memory will live on in my reveries as I pursue our shared passion — quilting. You never bought less than three yards of fabric. You signed every quilt with the hand signing “I love you.”
And you were fascinated by photos in books and magazines: “Wouldn’t it be fun to …” Of course it would. The Quiltmaniacs will miss you.
Laurel not your daughter
I cannot believe Dea is gone. She was such a dynamic personality. I knew her through The Questers women’s study group and Allied Arts. She was a builder and a guiding light. I will miss her smile, her humor, and her courage.
Dea, You always had a smile and a helping hand. I called you over the years asking advice on cooking, crocheting and sewing. I remember you asking me, “What? You’ve never used cumin?” So thanks for that Dea – my favorite spice now : I remember when David was little, he asked if he could call your Grandma. Thanks for all the wonderful memories ~ you will be missed.
Although I only knew Dea for a short while she always brought a smile to everyone’s face with her wit. Dea, you’ll be sorely missed and are loved by all your family, including the newer members like myself.
I will always love you, Grandma. Thank you for everything you taught me.
I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dea on several things. I also knew her as a friend. Because of life unfolding we have not seen each other for a while, but she was a dear friend. She loved her family so much, and she loved her children and grandchildren she could not make the Merry Widows luncheons and dinners because she took care of them!! She was smart and kind and will be so missed in this life.
You were a very special lady dear Dea.
Leslie, Al and family,
Hugs and Hugs to all of you.
I just read the newspaper, I’m truly sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. I know how much you all cared and loved her. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Love,
Maria, Len and family
It was a pleasure and honor to get to know Dea. She was an incredible woman who raised the amazing family I fell in love with, and for that I will always be grateful. Dea, you will be missed.
Mom, you fought a hard battle and it is comforting to know you are now at peace. You were SUCH a good Grandma, and lots of what made you who you were will live on in all the beautiful, intelligent and caring Grandchildren you loved so much. Life will never be the same without you, but you will also never be far from our hearts. I love you and miss you more than I can express. Leslie
Dea was an amazing gifted loving woman. She was strong force in my life on how to be a strong woman. She always treated me as part of the family and I loved her deeply. I was so so blessed to know her and have her be my childrens Grandma Dea. Momma Dea I will miss you dearly.
I will always treasure the memories of our “Safeway” phone calls…where she’d advise me on how to pick out the best produce…and catch up on family gossip ;-! She was strong, wise, had a “cheeky” sense of humor, and loved her family. I will always love her!
You’ll be in my heart forever. I love you Mom! XXXOOO
Dea will be missed. I knew her through Allied Arts and Questers. She so loved her family and her grandchildren were very special to her. I loved going to her house. She always was so welcoming to everyone. She looked after Allied Arts Gallery as if it was her home and always reminded us to take care of the building. She will be missed but now she is at rest. God bless you Dea and God bless your family!
Dee was our friend and neighbor for almost 20 years. We had many delightful conversations at the mailbox, and we will miss her opinions and insights greatly. We are certain that Dee has gone to a better World than the one we live in. We will miss her.
The world was a richer place with Dea in it. I’m so sorry.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your mom and grandma Dea. We had quite a few memorable evening shifts together in the ER!I remember her smile and laugh when we really needed some cheering up ! She always talked about her family with such love and pride.My condolences to you all . Dana Crutchfield
i remember when i was a new nurse in er at olol. dea was very motherly and i remember her being so helpful and taking me under her wing as a new nurse. i will never forget how she helped me make it that first year. she was always encouraging and a great nurse. she is in a wonderful place now but surely will be missed. she will live on in the hearts of the lives she touched.
Grandma Dea,
You played such an integral part in shaping who I am today. Every time time I read an intriguing news article, try a new recipe, or travel to a new place, I will think of you. You made all of our lives so much richer for sharing them with you. I love you always Grandma.
Courtney
Dea was one-of-a-kind…vivacious, outspoken, fun to be around. I will miss her smiling face and cheerful attitude.
It was always a joy to around Dea. In our quilt group I learned she loved the color purple, she had a wonderful family that enjoyed spending time together. She always talked about her wonderful grandchildren and how they spent a great deal of time together. We will miss her so much.
To Dea’s Family:
She was such a joy to be around. We loved to visit about being retired nurses and when we went on Allied Arts road trips we usually had a beer together hey, we weren’t driving afterall! She had this wonderful capicity for making each person feel good and important to what ever they were contributing. She loved her family and knew that they were devoted to her. Her sweet dog rated right up there with her family.
Her creative side was seen in her handwork. Though there were times when I know those “aching bones” caused her to slow down, I don’t ever remember hearing her complain. She was such a trooper through the last months of her life. When I think of a person who always thought about tomorrow and never about today, that was Dea. We will miss her and send our blessing for better tomorrows to her loved ones. Pat and Daryl Jonson
We will miss you forever .we had alot of fun quilting. and just being together and classes we had together. love you
To my Grandma Dea – I love you with all my heart, and always will. You’re one of the most amazing, strong, funny, brilliant, courageous, witty, talented and loving women I’ve ever known. You’ve helped to shape the woman I am today, and I know I’ve acquired all of the best things in you!
With all my love,
-Emily
I met Dea at the West Richland sewing group and she kept telling me to use more color! What was I doing quilting in 2 colors of brown!? So now my quilts are so bright I need to wear shades. I followed Dea on the Park Board, so I had some big shoes to fill. Dea, I love your vision, your laughter, and that you carried your dog around in a purse!
Guestbook for
Dea Ann Strand