Rodney James STRAND

STRAND, JOHNSON, HENDRICKSON, BRINGHKURST, GERICKE, PATEY, WILSON, RUFFALO

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/7/2013 at 13:32:08

June 19, 1946 ---- October 11, 2012

Rodney James Strand was born June 19, 1946, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Howard E. and Genevieve J. (Johnson) Strand. He passed away October 11, 2012, at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, North Chicago, Illinois. At the time of his birth, Rodney's family resided in Hardy, Iowa. In 1947 they moved to Humboldt, Iowa, where they lived until 1957, when they moved to West Liberty, Iowa. In August 1960 the Strand family moved to Lamoni.Rodney joined the United States Marine Corps September 8, 1964, and served two tours of duty in Viet Nam as a field radio operator. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on April 1, 1968. While in the military, he earned a Purple Heart Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation. Vietnamese Service Medal, Viet Nam Campaign Medal and Sharpshooter Badge in Rifle. He received an Honorable Discharge from Great Lakes Military Base February 28, 1969. Thereafter, he made his home in Kenosha, Wisconsin, working at American Motors.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents and by brothers Justin Bradley and Randall Edward. He is survived by brother Richard Barton Strand (Alberta) of Lakewood, California, and sister Nancy Jean Hendrickson (William) of Hollister, Missouri; daughters Tricia Lynn Bringhurst of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Stacey Lynn Strand of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, and step-daughter Michelle Diane Gericke of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Grandchildren include Christian Patey (Ashley), Matthew and Shelby Bringhurst; Leah Wilson and Joseph Strand; and step-granddaughter Christyne Ruffalo. A great-grandson, Jonathan Daniel Patey, was born in January 2013. He is also survived by many nieces
and nephews.

Rodney was of the Lutheran faith, devout in his beliefs. He enjoyed listening to music and working on his classic cars. He was tender-hearted, caring of his family and devoted to the Marine Corps and to his country, which he had so proudly served.

Service - July 13, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Community of Christ Church, Lamoni, Iowa; Interment at Rose Hill Cemetery in Lamoni, Iowa.

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