Linda Marie Strand

Linda Marie Strand, age 74, of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, passed away at Merit Health River Region Medical Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on March 22, 2026. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 11:00 am. The clergy will be Pastor David Nissen. Interment will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Fairfax. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Linda was born on February 9, 1952, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. She spent her life rooted in southern Minnesota, where she built a family and lived for many years.

Linda was united in marriage to Marlyn "Merly" Strand on October 7, 1978, in New Richland, Minnesota. Though their marriage later ended in divorce, together they had four children.

She is survived by her children: Jerome "Jerry" Strand of St. Paul, MN; Melissa "Mel" (Matt) Wappel and their children Theodore and Harrison of Plymouth, MN; Andrew "Andy" (Stacy) Strand and their daughters Katelyn and Lillian of Redwood Falls, MN; and Alan (Julia) Strand and their children Abigail, Makayla, and Brody of Jordan, MN. Linda also leaves behind her siblings: Diane (Dale) Eckstein of Sleepy Eye, MN; Paul Beilke of Sleepy Eye, MN; and Laurie (Doug) Opheim of St. Peter, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville Beilke and Laurel (Trebesch) Beilke; her brothers, David Beilke and Douglas Beilke; and her sister, Pamela Beilke.

Linda enjoyed a number of activities throughout her life. She loved reading, cooking, and listening to the music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline, among other artists. In her later years, she delighted in traveling on bus trips and visiting places that brought her happiness, including seeing the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., and Tennessee. She especially enjoyed visiting Graceland in Memphis, which she visited multiple times. She had a fondness for the color purple. She cherished spending time with her grandkids when she was able to. She loved watching the news, cooking shows and her favorite soap operas.

Linda will be remembered by family and friends. She will be missed.