CA – Nana Mae Stromlund, 91, ran into the arms of her Loving Savior the evening of July 12, 2023.
Nana was born in Valley City, ND to Edward and Agnes Artis. Nana grew up on a farm where she would often ride her calf like he was a horse. Nana attended the Assemblies of God Church in Valley City, ND. In 1957, a young handsome man began attending her church, and caught her eye. David and Nana were married on August 23, 1958. David was a school teacher and taught in a couple of small schools in North Dakota. They welcomed their first daughter, Cindy, in 1959. Later they moved to Mayville, ND where David received his college degree. They moved to Greenbush where David taught school. Nana kept busy with their young daughter and welcomed their second daughter, Christy in 1964. After moving around to wherever David’s teaching jobs took them, they finally moved to Thief River Falls in 1967 where they made their home until moving to live with their daughter Cindy in Southern California in October 2018.
Nana was extremely talented when it came to sewing. She would sew matching dresses for herself and her two daughters; and with the left-over material she would sew dresses for her daughters’ baby dolls and Barbies. Nana loved counted cross-stitching. Nana also attended the White Cross women’s event at the Evangelical Free Church once a month where they would sew quilts to send to missionaries. Nana loved Christmas; baking and decorating.
Nana loved her teddy bears. She acquired several and always had at least one or two bears with her wherever she went. Nana loved going to yard sales, and couldn’t pass one up once she saw a sign! Even when they moved to California, she would go to the swap meets and yard sales with her daughter Cindy.
Nana’s favorite singer was Country Western singer Charley Pride. She first saw him in concert in Fargo, ND in 1971. Because of her unique name “Nana”, Charley Pride remembered her name and she became one of his biggest fans. She would get to go back stage after his concerts, she met his band and his wife. Nana and David would travel to go see Charley Pride in concert, to Norsk Hostfest in Minot, ND several times and even on a Caribbean cruise where Charley performed. Nana even enjoyed breakfast with Charley and his wife on the cruise. The last concert she attended was in Laughlin, NV with her daughters; after moving to California. She had pre-concert back stage access and was able to see Charley and take one last picture with him. In all, Nana went to over 30 Charley Pride concerts.
Nana was a huge sports fan. She loved the Wild hockey and Twins baseball. Nana and David took many trips through Bergan Travel to go see the games. Sorry, she may have lived in Minnesota, but she was influenced by her daughter Cindy to be a Green Bay Packers fan! Once they moved to California, they attended numerous Angels baseball and Ducks hockey games. Nana met all of the Ducks hockey players at a fan fest event, getting autographs and pictures with the players, including her favorite player Ryan Getzlaff. She also met Teemu Selanne, getting his autograph and shaking his hand.
Nana was diagnosed with beginning stages of dementia. She continued to live with her daughter Cindy until February, 2022 when she required more care and went to live in a nursing home. Nana’s sense of humor entertained the staff. She told everyone that she saw that she “loved” them. Pretty soon the staff would say “I love you, Nana” before she would say it to them. Cindy would go to the nursing home after work and on weekends. Nana loved the SnapChat app on the phone and they would create silly pictures. Nana’s health declined quickly the last few months and she was transferred to an acute hospital on May 31, 2023. Even though her health was declining, she still knew her daughter Cindy and would have casual conversations. Even to the end, Nana spoke about Jesus and going to Heaven. Nana was concerned that everyone should know about Jesus and all her life she shared her faith. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not parish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
Cindy visited her mom every day after work and on weekends. When Nana was in the nursing home and saw Cindy walking down the hallway, Nana would often ask “how did you know I was here?” And Cindy would respond “Mom, I always know where you are and I will always find you.” Every time when Cindy would leave her mom she would say “Mom, I love you, you’re my favorite. You’re the Best Mom and most beautiful woman in the world. And if Jesus comes for you, it’s ok to go to Heaven with Him, because I will find you one day in Heaven.”
“Mom, I miss you. My heart is so broken. And I WILL find you in Heaven one day”. – Cindy
Nana is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Rex) Thomas in California, Christy (Kevin) Hoss in Tennessee; grandchildren, Andrew (Meghan) Hoss, in Florida, Jacob Hoss in Tennessee and GraceAnne Hoss in California.
Nana was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, David, who passed Christmas Day 2020.
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