Beverly Strain

BEVERLY J. (DOUGLAS) STRAIN, 91 HARVARD - Beverly J. (Douglas) Strain, 91, formerly of Harvard, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at Northwoods Care Center in Belvidere. Born June 9, 1921, in Harvard, the daughter of the late Leslie and Sylvia (Esmond) Douglas. On Oct. 2, 1947, she married the late William "Ted" Strain. Beverly graduated from Augustana Nursing School in 1941, and joined the U.S. Army in World War II. She served as a first lieutenant on the USS Algonquin, a Red Cross Hospital ship in the Mediterranean, caring for wounded soldiers in the European theatre. Beverly worked as a nurse at Harvard Community Hospital and at the Valley Hi Retirement Home in Hartland for many years. Her husband owned Strain's Market on Ayer Street in Harvard for 20 years. She also enjoyed playing with the local Bridge Club in Harvard. Surviving are children, Lawrence (Judith), Patricia, Michael (Jackie), and Robert; grandchildren, Katie, Douglas (Rachel), Karen (Wil O'Brien), Sean, and Matthew; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased also by sisters, Carol Meyers and Merilynn Conerty and brother, William. Memorial gathering from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, 107 W. Sumner St., Harvard. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Susanne Wilczek officiating. Burial in Dunham-Chemung Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Dunham-Chemung Cemetery. For more information, call the funeral home at 815-943-5400. Sign the online guestbook at saundersmcfarlin.net.