Georgia Strand

MINOT - Georgia Nelson Strand, 68, Minot, died June 25, 2016 at Trinity Hospital, Minot. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Courtenay.

Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, with a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m.

Georgia was born on May 6, 1948, in Jamestown, to George Jr. and Rita (Siebert) Nelson. She was raised in the Courtenay and Jamestown area and graduated from Courtenay High School in 1966 as their salutatorian.

Georgia received her bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota in 1970. She started her career as the manager of Bekin's Moving Company of Grand Forks. She then accepted her first teaching job in Lignite, where she taught language arts, directed the drama club and made sure that her students could spell.

Georgia then moved to Flasher High School from Lignite, and again taught language arts, directed the school plays, and produced the school annuals. She had the opportunity to become the high school principal while teaching in Flasher.

Georgia received her master's degree in administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck. In 2003, she had to retire from being a school administrator because of her cancer. While being the principal, she also taught four classes in Flasher, along with doing the school annual. She was a teacher and administrator for 25 years in the public school system. Her true love of being the principal and teaching was making sure her students learned the English language and she inspired her students to be good citizens.

Georgia married Wayne Strand, June 10, 1986, on the Burleigh County Courthouse steps, they renewed their vows in Flasher at the St. Theresa's Church on Feb. 14, 1988.

Georgia's loving family includes her mother, Rita Nelson, Jamestown; her husband of 30 years, Wayne, Minot; her step-children, Wade (Sandi) Strand, Adam (fiancee Susan) Strand and Lacey (Kevin) Tuma; her grandchildren, Lexi Reiger, William, Olivia and Phoenix Strand, Aurora White and Dylan and Nellie Tuma; her brother, Albert (Buck) Nelson, Bismarck; and her godmother, Lori Wanzek, Courtney. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Georgia was preceded in death by her father Jr. (George) Nelson, Jamestown; and her godfather, Leonard Wanzek, Courtenay.

Memorials preferred to the Souris Valley Animal Shelter in Minot.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at www.thompsonlarson.com.