Mary Colleen (Devine) Strand

Mary Colleen Strand passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer on January 3, 2026. She was 76 years old.

Born to John and Lucille Devine on October 15, 1949, Mary grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

After earning her degree from the University of Minnesota, she moved to Virginia where she met the love of her life, Steven, and raised her family. She spent her career as an X-ray technician at Eveleth Fitzgerald Community Hospital and Virginia Regional Medical Center.

Mary was a talented quilter and crafter who also enjoyed reading and gardening. She was an active supporter of the United Way Buddy Backpacks program and the Friends of the Virginia Public Library. A frequent theater-goer, she enjoyed attending plays and musicals with friends and family. Additionally, she loved cheering on her grandchildren at their sporting events and school activities.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Steven; her parents, John and Lucille Devine; brother, Tim Devine; sisters-in-law, Marcia Bergquist, and Gloria Strand; and brothers-in-law, Ted King, Roger Berglund and Dave Bergquist.

She is survived by her daughter, Maria (Grant) Nellis of Delano; and son, Steven Allan (Heidi) Strand Jr. of Hoyt Lakes; six grandchildren—Kassie Strand of Virginia, Rachel (Jacob) Harrington of St. Louis Park, Hannah Nellis of Minneapolis, Vanessa Strand of Biwabik, Ben Nellis of Delano, and Luke Strand of Hoyt Lakes; sister, Cecilia (Greg) Devine; brother, Dan (Kim) Devine; sister-in-law, Ann Devine; sister-in-law, Barb King; brother-in-law, Butch Strand; sisters-in-law, Susan Berglund, and Judy (John) Seurer; and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia, Minn. Visitation begins in the church at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery with lunch to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the United Way Buddy Backpacks, the Friends of the Virginia Public Library or the American Cancer Society in Mary’s memory.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth and Northern Pines in Aurora for their care and kindness during this time.