Margaret Ann Strand

Margaret Ann Strand, age 92, of Westwood Residences in Duluth passed away August 17, 2009, at the Benedictine Health Center. She was born near Pipestone, MN to Oliver Ray Hite and Anne McCaffrey Hite, moved to Emily MN as a child, and graduated from high school in Crosby, MN. In 1938 she married Lester A. Strand; the family moved to Lake County in 1945, residing in Finland, MN, near Sawbill Landing, and later near Parent Lake. In 1947, the family moved to Beaver Bay where Margaret Ann resided for 55 years. As clerk of the first village council of Beaver Bay, she prepared and was a signer of the articles of incorporation in 1956.

In addition to being a one-room school teacher, she was an assistant classroom teacher, librarian, and office worker for schools in Silver Bay, MN. She was a founding member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and Altar & Rosary Society, of the Bay Area Historical Society, of The Golden Age Club, and of the Silver Bay PTA. She helped to found the Red Hat Society at Westwood.

Margaret Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 62 years, Lester, in 2000; a brother, Robert Hite, a sister, Mary Hite Schmidt, and a granddaughter, Louisa Bridge.

She is survived by her sons and daughters, William Strand & wife Nancy of Edmonton, Alberta; Marilyn Kelly & husband Thomas of Council Bluffs, IA, Sharon Strand of Duluth, Janice Bridge & husband Adam of Davis, CA, and Robert Strand & wife Janet of Beaver Bay. She also is survived by sisters, Ruth Atwater of Aitkin, Betty Christensen of Duluth, and sister-in-law, Bernice Hite of Minneapolis.

Margaret Ann also is survived by 17 grand children: Craig & Dorise Strand of Ft. McMurray, AB, Annemarie Strand & Greg Mckhool of Toronto, Kristen & Mark Finlay and Matthew & Melissa Strand of Edmonton, Paul Strand of Cary, NC; Maureen & Neil Moseman and Mark Kelly of Omaha, NE, Aileen & Charles Schwab of Boulder, CO; Christopher & Karen Campbell of Stafford, VA, Greg & Katy Campbell of Moon Township, PA, and Mike & Jessi Baden Campbell of Falls Church, VA; Tom & Tiffany Bridge of Alexandria, VA, Erik Bridge of Port Orchard, WA, and Margaret Bridge of Albany, CA; David Strand of San Francisco and China, B Strand of Seattle, WA, and Cathy Strand of Chico, CA. There also are 18 great grandchildren and 24 nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to St. Mary's Catholic Church of Silver Bay, The Bay Area Historical Society (P.O. Box 33, Silver Bay, MN 55614), or The Westwood Fund/BHC Foundation (935 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811), or a charity of the donor's choice.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Benedictine Health Center, 935 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20. Visitation will be at St. Mary's Church in Silver Bay at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 21, followed by the mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., interment in the Beaver Bay Cemetery, and lunch at St. Mary's.

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