Cleone C. Strinden

The funeral service will be live streamed and may be viewed by clicking the following link that will lead you to the Calvary Lutheran Church website. https://vimeo.com/event/913801 Cleone Strinden, 100, Mandan, formerly of Grand Forks and Litchville, North Dakota, passed away December 27, 2020 at Edgewood Assisted Living, Mandan, North Dakota. Cleone Charlotte Kelley was born August 25, 1920, in Litchville, North Dakota to Myrtle and Robert Kelley where she grew up with her brother, Dennis. Following high school, Cleone earned a degree in Elementary Education from Moorhead State College and taught at Moorhead Public Schools. In February 1945, Cleone married Osmund Alfred (Alf) Strinden while he was home on furlough during World War II. They moved to the West Coast, while Alf resumed his tour of duty in the Pacific. At the end of WWII, they returned to Litchville, where they raised their two children and appreciated life in their hometown. Alf and Cleone were members of First Lutheran Church, Litchville, where Cleone taught Sunday school, sang in the adult choir, and was active in both Circle and Ladies Aid. She also served as a Cub Scout leader and was a longtime member and officer of the PTA and the Homemakers’ Club. Socially, she and Alf enjoyed league bowling and gatherings with family and friends. In 1969, Cleone and Alf moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where Cleone was a faithful volunteer at Calvary Lutheran Church. She rarely missed “Coffee and Conversation” with the ladies and was a long-time member of the Tufte Manorettes and the Thursday Music Club. Friends and neighbors knew Cleone’s coffee pot was always on and would frequently drop by to enjoy her home-baked treats and warm hospitality. She will be remembered for her devotion to family and friends, contagious smile, sense of humor, positive outlook on life, and her never-faltering faith in God. She loved reading and crafting in her spare time. Both Cleone and Alf were avid UND sports fans who regularly attended Sioux basketball, hockey and football games. Cleone was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Alf, her parents (Robert and Myrtle Kelley) and her brother (Dennis Kelley). She is survived by her children, Bruce (Lauren) Strinden, Mandan, North Dakota and Barbara Strinden Byars, Pahrump, Nevada; three grandsons, Peter (Darci) Strinden, Matthew (Jaci) Strinden, and David (Emily) Byars; seven great-grandchildren (Brock, Erika, Lauren, Chase, Kellen, Ashley and Quinn); brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. Cleone’s family is deeply grateful for the loving and compassionate care the staff at Edgewood, Mandan and Edgewood Caring Edge provided as she neared the end of her life. Memorials may be directed to Calvary Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Funeral services will be 1:30 PM Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at Calvary Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be 2:00 PM Thursday in the Litchville Cemetery, Litchville, ND.