Elona Strand

Tuesday, August 18, 2020 4:20 pm

Elona Strand, 74, of Decorah, Idied Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, at her home in Decorah.

Elona Sylvia Strand was born Feb. 17, 1946 at Smith Memorial Hospital in Decorah, the daughter of Walter and Helen (Bersie) Strand. Shortly thereafter the Strand Family relocated from Ridgeway to Decorah. Elona was the fourth of seven children. She attended the Hamre School. In 1959, The Strands moved to Kimball, S.D., where she attended and graduated from Kimball high school. During the summer before starting her undergraduate studies at University of South Dakota, in Vermillion, Elona enlisted in WAC, based in Alabama.

After attending University of South Dakota, Elona moved to St. Paul, Minn., where she began a career in publishing at West Group (formerly known as West Publishing Company) as a paralegal/editor in St. Paul, Minn., until she retired after 36 years, in 2008. Elona’s soft gift of ingenuity and kindness naturally infected those she worked with. In 1969, Elona was united in marriage to Henry Clay Powell, of Kansas City, Mo. Of this union two daughters were born.

After a divorce in 1977, Elona enjoyed her newfound independence at home raising her children. She received great satisfaction and took immense pleasure in DIY home building – creating additions and remodeling several homes she’s owned throughout the course of her life.

Elona is survived by her daughter, Utah Erika Powell, Oakland, Calif.; sisters, Karleen (Strand) Maeck, Burr Oak, and Heloise Strand, Decorah; brothers: Adrian Strand, Decorah, Johnathan Strand, Burr Oak and Wyatt Strand, Kimball, S.D.

Elona was preceded in death by her daughter, Pleshette Powell; parents, Walter and Helen Strand; brother, Anthony Strand.