Mary Strand

SALMON, Idaho - Mary Jane Leona Werner Strand passed away on May 23, 2014, at the Steele Memorial Hospital in Salmon, Idaho from cause's incident to age. Mary Jane was born to Grace and Dan Bryan on May 27, 1920, in Casper, Wyoming, joining older brothers Jack and Bob. She spent her earliest years on her parents homestead north of Casper, and continued to live there with her mother and brothers after losing her father at a young age. Grace soon remarried and her new husband, Herman Werner, raised her three children as his own. A few years later, younger sister, Herma, joined the family. They spent their childhood on the Spearhead ranch, north of Douglas, where they attended school in a one room schoolhouse through 8th grade. Many happy memories from this period of Mary Jane's life came out in the stories she would later share with her family and friends. Taught the value of hard work at an early age, one of her first assignments was herding turkeys with her younger sister, Herma. A little later, when Mary Jane was about twelve years old, she and Henna were trusted to deliver a herd of ranch horses to Douglas, to be sold. The young horsewomen trailed these horses from the ranch which required an overnight stay. Their accommodations weren't what would be expected today, staying in an abandoned cabin, where the rats ate the food that had been left for them. All of the kids were accomplished horsemen and women and knew their way around any and all ranch work. Mary Jane was especially happy on the back of a horse, moving cattle or sheep, something she continued to do even into her eighties. . In 1939, Mary Jane eloped with Howard Stanley Strand on Oct. 31, and married in Chadron, Nebraska. Howard had grown up north of Douglas also, and he and his brothers were well- known ranch hands in the area. The young couple worked on ranches in central Wyoming, while raising their growing family. Mary Jane was always proud of living in a sheep wagon when first married. Howard and Mary Jane divorced after a long marriage and she married Dwight (Spike) Sellers. They later divorced. During this time, she realized her dream of owning her own livestock operation when she bought a ranch in the Bates Hole area, south of Casper. She became a well- known member of that community, developing many friendships. Her son Herman and wife Karen had their own ranch nearby, and the two operations intertwined. Soon, son Norman and wife Marty joined her in the ranching business, building their own home close by. Mary Jane was a member of the Wyoming Farm Bureau, Wyoming and National Woolgrowers, Natrona County and Wyoming Cowbelles, the National Rifle Association; the Republican Party, and a lifetime member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame. She was honored to be chosen Powder River Sheepherders Rodeo Queen, and to receive the Natrona County Wool Growers Golden Staff Award in 1994. Sbe was a faithful blood. donor for many years. Mary Jane was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in her later years. She lived in her home on the ranch until 2010, when she was no longer able to live alone. She lived with her son, Herman and daughter -in-law, Karen for it while. Her ranch was sold and she eventually moved to Idaho to live with daughter Grace and son-in-law R.J. She spent many happy hours with family and friends visiting from Wyoming and Colorado. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Grace Werner; her brothers, Jack Werner and Bob Werner; sister, Herma Werner Irvine; both husbands; and son, Norman Lee Strand. Her survivors include daughter-in-law, Marty Strand; son, Glen Oliver Strand (Bonnie); son, Herman Roy Strand (Karen); daughter, Grace Annelle Smith (R.J.); son, Calvin Bryce' Strand; seven grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 15, at 2:30pm, at Bustard's Funeral Home in Casper, Pastor Chris Limmer officiating. A reception will follow at the Ramada Inn at 4:00 pm. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Natrona County Meals on Wheels or the Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions Program.

Service

Sunday, June 15, 2014 2:30pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601