Delores Strander

Delores “Dee” Strander, age 85, of Pelican Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, surrounded by her loving husband and son, at Riverfront on Main Memory Care in Pelican Rapids, MN.

Delores (Krueger) Strander was born on January 17, 1940, in Breckenridge, MN, to Ted and Frances (Burman) Krueger. She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Mitchell Township. In 1957, she graduated from Breckenridge High School in Breckenridge, MN. After graduating Delores worked various jobs in Fergus Falls, MN. Delores married Virlyn Strander on August 31, 1957, at Christ Lutheran Church in Mitchell Township. They met roller skating in Rothsay, MN and were engaged shortly after. 

Delores and Virlyn started their lives together farming in Wilkin County and later moved to Fargo, ND. They adopted their 2 children Athena and Dervin and moved to Dilworth, MN in 1971. Delores worked as a bookkeeper for many years and then opened her consignment store, Dee’s Clothes Tree, in 1985. In 1997, Virlyn and Delores moved to their lake home on Lake Lida near Pelican Rapids, MN where they retired. Delores liked to sew, quilt and collect angles. She loved music and she was a piano and accordion teacher for years. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and always had holiday music on. She liked to go fishing, but her favorite time was when her entire family gathered at their home on Lake Lida so she could watch everyone enjoying lake activities. Virlyn and Delores also loved to travel and enjoyed their long trips in the car together. She loved to go to Duluth to watch the ships come in.

Delores is survived by her husband Virlyn, son Dervin Strander, Cross Roads, TX; son-in-law Keith Briggs, Moorhead, MN: 4 grandchildren, Taylor Strander, Dallas, TX, Kamryn Strander, Dallas, TX; Samantha Briggs, Moorhead, MN and Keith Briggs Jr., LaMoure, ND: 6 great-grandchildren, Shay, Kisha, Chrislynn, Cody, Mariah and Braeison; stepbrother-in-law Harold(Simone) Berg man; stepsister-in-law Marilyn Bergman and her many nieces and nephews. Delores was preceded in death by her daughter Athena Briggs; her parents; her brothers, Loren Krueger and Glen (Betty) Krueger; sisters, Audrey (Ernie) Buth and Joan (Merlin) Rolin and her infant sister Jean. 

Funeral services for Delores will be held 11 AM to 1 PM on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, MN.