Verne Strandjord, our beloved father, grandfather, passed away in Belle Plaine July 10 at the age of 86. Verne is survived by his three sons, Cary, Mark (Kathryn) and Lee (Renee). He has seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
 Verne was born April 7, 1936, to Leonard and Wilma Strandjord on a farm located near Sacred Heart. He attended Sacred Heart High School where he met Nona Meyer. They were married in the summer of 1953 and moved to Clarkston, Wash. where then two sons, Cary and Mark were born. Three years later they returned to Minnesota. Verne rented a 160 acre farm. Here their youngest son Lee was born. Eventually this family of five moved to St Paul where Verne attended the University of Minnesota getting a four year bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences in just two 1/2 years. He took a “field man” position with Green Giant and would eventually ascend to Vice President of Seasonal Operations, Green Giant Group, Pillsbury.
 His many successes he always attributed to his team. When praise was handed out, he was always last in line. He retired at age 54, then traveled the world with his wife Nona. What Verne prized most was his family. He was an iconic figure to them, a honest man who set the bar high for himself. He led an exemplary life. His quests were filled with adventure and personal challenges. Years later he had one last lesson to teach his family when his beloved wife of 62 years, Nona, passed away. He taught his family how to deal with extreme grief with dignity and grace. He will be missed, but remembered with a collective smile. Verne would say he was just an ordinary man, but his list of remarkable achievements would say otherwise.
 His family has scheduled two life celebrations.
 The first will be August 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Park Pavilion in Le Sueur. Address: 155 South Park Lane, Le Sueur.
 The second life celebration will be held on the Opdal Church grounds located a few miles south of Sacred Heart. This celebration will be August 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. Address: from US 212, take County Road 12 just east of Sacred Heart to 770th Avenue then turn left to Opdal Church. There will be many activities set up outside for children.
 There will be a short burial service at 11:30 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery in Sacred Heart on the same day, August 27. www.koldenfuneralhome.com.