Laura Martha Strand

Laura Martha Strand was born March 9, 1982 in Alexandria, MN. She joined her older brother Cory David to complete and add delight to the lives of her parents Margaret and David Strand. Her sparkle and inquisitive spirit was apparent even in her earliest years of life. She was a fun-loving sister and daughter who, early-on, saw the innate beauty in every plant, creature and person she encountered. She loved nature and animals, loving her kitties, puppies and horses as a child, a love that deepened the longer she lived.

Laura’s love of learning throughout her years at the Cyrus Math, Science and Technology Elementary School, Cyrus, MN was followed by active years in choir, band and soccer at Minnewaska High School, Glenwood, Mn. She graduated in 2001. She had a love and appreciation turned to beautiful skill in the arts of design, applied arts, pottery and music. Laura graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Art and Design from UW-Stout, Menomonie, additional studies in Scandinavian Design at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Following graduation with her art degree, she taught English as a Second Language for two years in Makpo and Busan, South Korea. She then studied Teaching English as a Second Language at UW-River Falls and taught at a charter school in NE Minneapolis for six years. Laura earned her graduate certification in Education at the U of M, enabling her to teach Art. She was employed in the Pine City, Mn Public Schools for 8 years, teaching Art at the junior high level and finally teaching art at the elementary level this year 2025-26.

Laura’s infectious, independent spirit, love of all children regardless of ability, age, creed or race enabled her to reach countless children with her trust, her love of art and experiential learning, and her belief that every child has worth and was deserving of her compassion, respect and kindness. Her career gave her deep satisfaction.

Her love of the art of music enabled her to experience an enviable amount of concerts and festivals and she became friends with many accomplished musicians. She truly was a life-long learner and friend.

At her core, Laura’s quiet faith in Jesus’ love was the foundation of her love that extended to all with whom she came in contact. Her love and appreciation of life extended well beyond her classrooms, dedicating her life to her family, her friends and serving others. Her kindness and sense of humor permeated life with her fellow staff at school, her community, and her deep friendships developed over the years.

Her nephew Carter and her nieces Britleigh and Everleigh were her joy. Their earliest years were filled with her fun-loving and artful influence. Laura’s legacy will live on through them, her many cousins who loved her dearly, their children who loved her as well, and all whose lives she touched. Her spirit of compassion and her light of love will be her legacy to all who were privileged to know and love her.

Laura is survived by her loving parents Margaret and David Strand, her beloved brother Cory Strand and his wife Becky, her nephew Carter Strand and her nieces Britleigh and Everleigh Strand. She is also survived by her dear aunts and uncles, loving cousins, their spouses and their children, as well as many dear second cousins and extended family members in both in the US and Norway.

Laura was preceded in death by her infant brother Erik David Strand, her maternal grandparents Martina and Halvor Vorvick, her paternal grandparents Ruth and Stanley Strand, her Aunt Martha Vorvick Berge and Uncle Norman Berge, and her Uncle James Hagen.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00 PM at the Alexandria Covenant Church with a Memorial Service at 1:00 PM at the church.  Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.

Laura’s legacy of service with compassion is reflected in the following consideration:

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to either:

** Bloomington Covenant Church, memo: Closet of Hope, 10150 Xerxes Ave S. Bloomington, MN 55431

**Feed My Starving Children, 401 93rd Avenue NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433