Linda Rae (Crooker) Strand

Linda Rae Strand was born in Ainsworth, Nebraska on April 12, 1956, to Carl and Alice Crooker.   Linda passed away at her home in Ainsworth on May 31, 2024.

            Linda and her siblings grew up south of Wood Lake, Nebraska, where she attended school through eighth grade.  During those years, she was active in 4-H with several projects.  One of her favorite memories was of her calf being awarded the Grand Champion in the Stocker-Feeder division. Making this prize even better was the fact that she had also beat her brother, who was showing in the same division.   She attended high school in Ainsworth, graduating with the class of 1974.  

On June 30, 1974 she married Richard Charles Strand in Wood Lake.  This loving union lasted 49 years and they were blessed with two sons, Ricky and C.J. Strand.  When the family was young, they lived near the Raven Church south of Ainsworth.  It was here that Linda accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

            Linda was employed for many years as a Certified Nurse Assistant in the Rock County Hospital and Brown County Hospital.  She also utilized these skills while working in this area for North Star Services.  As much as Linda loved caring for others, she also loved being outdoors tending to her beautiful flowers.  She worked for Halsey State Park Forestry Services from the late 1970’s through the early 1990’s while the boys were in school.

            Linda had a special creative gift and thoroughly enjoyed doing ceramics.  Though she shared her creations with friends and family members, it was the peace and joy she experienced in making her next project that kept her wanting to do more.  Linda also loved going to auctions and garage sales.  She was an avid fan of taking part in the annual Bargain Buyway events and rarely missed an opportunity to go with her friend and co-conspirator, Connie Rossenbach, to find the items they “couldn’t live without”.  

            The only thing Linda loved more than these activities was spending time with her grandsons and visiting relatives and friends.  She loved attending the boys’ activities and was extremely proud of their accomplishments, which were bountiful in her eyes.

            Linda is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Ricky; her brother, Larry; and sister, Maria.  Survivors include her husband, Richard Strand of Ainsworth; son, C.J. Strand of Ainsworth; grandsons, Jon and Matthew Strand of Ainsworth; brothers, Dave and wife, Barb Crooker of Long Pine, Nebraska; and Joe and wife, Tammy Crooker of Ainsworth; sisters Georgia, and husband, Jerry Gaskins of Paonia, Colorado; and Lillie Parkinson of Ainsworth;  brothers-in-law, Bill Strand, Ron, and wife Lisa Strand all of Ainsworth, and Roger, and wife Judy Strand of Lincoln, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Barbie and husband, Jack Robinson of Fairbury, Nebraska; uncle, Charley Donason of Long Pine and aunt, Claudia Maxine Sailas of Sun City, Arizona; along with nieces, nephews and other family members.

                Funeral Services were held Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Assembly of God Church in Ainsworth, officiated by Pastor Gary Graesser.   CD selections “Heaven’s Now My Home” by Libby Allen, “Concrete Angel” by Martina McBride and “Amazing Grace” by Alan Jackson were played.  Casketbearers were Jon Strand, Matthew Strand, Danny Witt, John Rossenbach, Treyven Stevens and Rusty Strand.  Honorary Casketbearers were all of Linda’s other family and friends.   Interment followed in the Ainsworth Cemetery.   Memorials were suggested to the family in Linda’s name.  Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth was in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.