Kay Strand

Kay Adele (Lundsten) Strand, 84, of New London, MN, passed away peacefully at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, MN, on Saturday, August 8, 2020.

Kay was born in Buffalo, MN, to Malcolm and Ruth (Kilstofte) Lundsten on January 2, 1936. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1953 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Carleton College in 1957. Kay was united in marriage with Roger Strand on September 17, 1960, in Buffalo, MN. They began their married life living and working in the Twin Cities; Roger, as a medical student and Kay, as a social studies teacher in Richfield.

In July of 1961 the young couple moved to Tacoma, WA, where Roger served a medical internship and Kay taught social studies at a local middle school. Their time in Tacoma also welcomed the birth of their first child, Mary, in June of 1962. Following Mary’s birth, Kay retired from teaching to become a dedicated, loving mother and homemaker. In July of 1962 the little family moved to eastern Montana for two years. Roger provided medical care at the Fort Belknap Indian Health Services Hospital and Kay gave birth to their second child, Roger Malcolm “Mac”, in August of 1963. In 1964 the growing family returned to Minnesota and made their home in Plymouth. Kay and Roger became parents for a third time in July of 1966, when daughter Katherine was born. In 1969, the now family of five moved to Willmar. Youngest child, Robert “Bob”, was born in Willmar in July of 1976. Following Bob’s graduation from high school, Kay and Roger moved to their beloved Stoney Ridge Farm adjacent to Sibley State Park near New London.

It was during her time in Willmar that Kay took up what became a lifelong passion for painting. Her dedication proved to demonstrate an exceptional natural ability, especially for landscapes. Kay was a talented, prolific and award-winning artist, including a coveted national award from American Artist magazine. Using oils, acrylics, and watercolors as her mediums, she painted lovely landscapes and still lifes of bucolic scenes in Kandiyohi County and also in countries around the world while taking painting courses. Scenes from Stoney Ridge Farm were often the subject of Kay’s beautiful paintings. Family members fondly recall her sitting before her easel nearly every day, creating lovely canvases with the sound of classical music playing in the background. Kay’s artwork lives on, continuing to be enjoyed in homes and businesses throughout the local community and beyond.

Over the years Kay enjoyed her membership and participation in the Cosmopolitan Study Club, Willmar Musicale, the United Methodist Women’s Church Circle, the United Methodist yearly fundraising bazaar, and various church bible study groups. Kay played countless hands of bridge with partners who became lifelong friends. Her artistic pursuits led to participation in many arts and painting-related organizations: most notably the Artists of Minnesota, Creating Art Together, and the Willmar Area Arts Council for which she created one of their annual and popular posters for the festival, Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee!

Kay is survived by her loving and devoted husband of nearly 60 years, Roger;  children: Mary, of Willmar, Mac (Jamie) of Marquette, MI, Katherine (David) Broze, of Phoenix, AZ, and Bob, of Minneapolis; adored grandchildren: Jayne, Kayte and Christopher. Brother, John (Mary Ellen) Lundsten, of Buffalo; sister in-law, Mary Davies, of Minneapolis; brother in-law, Loren Westby, of Mountain Home, AR, and many nieces and nephews.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Malcolm and Ruth Lundsten; her husband’s parents, Orrin and Eleanor Strand; brothers in-law, Richard Strand and Peter Davies; sisters in-law, Georgie Strand and Karen Westby, and son in-law, Patrick Boros.

Memorials may be sent to the United Methodist Church of Willmar, the Rice Health Foundation, the New London-Spicer Community Fund, Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the physicians and staff at Rice Memorial Hospital/Carris Health and Carris Health-Rice Hospice for their excellent care of Kay. Also, a special heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff of Compassionate Care and of Lake Region Home Health, both who provided exceptional daytime home care for Kay for many years.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date when all are safe from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.  www.petersonbrothers.com