LaVern W. Strand

LaVern W. Strand entered into eternal life on January 2^nd, 2025 at the grand old age of 93 years. He was born January 19^th, 1931 to the late William and Luella Strand in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the first-born son in a family of 6 brothers and sisters. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 72 years, Norma, his sisters, Elaine and Irene and his brother, Roger. He is survived by brother, Dale and sister, Karen. Also survived by six children, Joyce, Bert (Joanie), Jim (Lisa), Sandy (Bob), Dede (Mark) and Carol. He is also survived by 12 Grandchildren, 26 Great Grandchildren and 10 Great Great Grandchildren.

As a child, Vern loved to fish the Milwaukee River. He worked at the corner grocery store for 50 cents an hour during his high school years at Washington High. He graduated from there in 1948, a hundred years after Wisconsin was given her birthright.

After high school, Vern was hired by the Falk Corporation, starting in the tool room at age 18. During his 43 years of employment, Vern decided to go back to school, attending part time, evening classes at West Allis Vocational School, and graduating with an associate degree. At Falk, he was promoted to an Operations’ Analyst and picked up his pencil which he held on to tightly. He watched com-puters coming into his office and stated, “I’m not going to learn, those computers won’t last”! But, times do change and he perfected the 2-finger typing method.

At the Falk Corporation there were plenty of extra-curricular activities and Vern joined them all. He played softball, bait-casting, trap-shooting, hardball, darts, pistol and rifle leagues, sheepshead club, and became a very serious and excellent bowler. He even played the part of “Raggedy Ann” in a company Christmas Play.

On June 16^th, 1951, He married Norma J. Carlson in Woodstock, Illinois. When the Korean War broke out, Vern joined the 128^th Air Control and Warning Squadron. In August 1951, his reserve unit was activated to Bangor Maine. Norma and Vern spent 13 months there in a small apartment and they returned to Milwaukee with their first child, Joyce. They built a home in West Allis, Wisconsin, where they lived all their lives, raising 6 kids and always a dog or two. Vern and Norma were members of St. Paul’s Lutheran for over 7 decades.

He loved deer hunting in Danbury, Wisconsin, Black Hills, South Dakota and Wyoming. In later years, he hunted in Waupaca where he always tagged a deer for grandson, Rob. He fished the Cisco Chain of Lakes and many other Wisconsin lakes, and also in Canada. Later, he fished in Tomahawk but wherever he fished, he was always outfished by Norma who always caught the biggest one. Vern was a shrewd and skilled card player. He loved to play Pinochle, Sheepshead, and Canasta. He was accused many times (always by you-know-who) of cheating.

His soul is in Heaven but he will always be in our hearts. He was a loving and awesome husband, brother, father, uncle, and grandfather but so much more a wonderful friend who will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025 at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin from 3:00 PM – 5:45 PM. Service to follow at 6:00 PM. Interment will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Highland Memorial Park, 14875 West Greenfield Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are very welcomed to the Veterans Administration or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, West Allis.

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