Alice Edwardene Stranad

Alice Edwardene “Dene” Stranad died at age 97 on July 25, 2019 in LaPorte, Indiana. She was born on June 17, 1922 in Hammond, Indiana to Edward and Alice Jenks. Alice grew up in New Buffalo, Michigan, and graduated from New Buffalo High School in 1940. She joined the war effort during World War II as a WAVE in the Naval Reserve Corps, and was stationed in Detroit, Michigan. After the war, she came back to New Buffalo, and married a childhood friend, William (Bill) Stranad on February 2, 1946. Alice and Bill opened New Buffalo Lumber Company November 1, 1950, which was in business until November 2015. They enjoyed working in the lumber and hardware business, as well, as the contracting and homebuilding business. Many of the homes in New Buffalo were either built or remodeled by Alice and Bill. Alice enjoyed extensive travel with Bill to places such as Montana, Las Vegas, Florida, New England, and Frankenmuth. Alice also spent much time during summers in the 80’s at her sister and brother-in-law’s cottage on Mackinac Island. She also enjoyed travelling with Lorie and Friends on casino trips. Alice loved art, and enjoyed drawing and painting in particular. She was also an avid reader. Alice was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sisters Lois Rohder and Katherine Portinga. She is survived by her 2 children: Patrick Stranad of Babb, Montana, and Melissa “Mitzi” Stranad of New Buffalo, Michigan; 3 grandchildren: Krista (Joseph) Killey of Sodus, MI, Jocelyn (Robert) Griffith of Alexandria, VA, and Ian Fritz of New Buffalo, MI; 2 great-grandchildren: Margaret and Edward; and niece and nephews Tom Rohder of Lakeside, MI, Tim (Kathy Mazurek) Rohder of North Carolina, and Teresa Peterson of Sawyer, MI. A Celebration of Life will be held for family members and friends of Alice on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, 2:00pm, at Sommerfeld Chapel – 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, MI. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the National Kidney Foundation.