Luanne Strong

Luanne Strong, age 63, of Redby, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 24th, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND after a sudden illness. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30th, at the Redby Community Center in Redby, MN with Father John Christianson presiding. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Red Lake, at a later date. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. on Monday, August 29th until the time of the service on Tuesday with all visitation at the Redby Community Center. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Luanne was born September 1, 1958, the daughter of Ruby Maxwell and David Lussier. She was raised by her parents Ruby Maxwell Bratvold and Roger Bratvold in Red Lake, Minnesota. She attended schools in Red Lake, graduating in 1976.

After completing High School, she married her High School Sweetheart and the love of her life, Clayton Strong, on April 8, 1978, in Redby, Minnesota. They were blessed with three children.

Luanne worked as a secretary for Red Lake Housing Authority for several years in early adulthood. She went on to attend Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech earning a Diploma in Practical Nursing and obtained her LPN license through the MN Board of Nursing. She then practiced Nursing in the Physical Therapy Department at the local IHS Hospital for a number of years. Luanne changed careers when she became a payroll clerk in the accounting department for Red Lake Gaming Enterprises where she worked until she retired. After that she kept busy working as a Personal Care Assistant for a child with special needs. She was also a foster parent and helped to raise her grandchildren.

Luanne was a strong, intelligent, assertively outspoken and witty individual. She enjoyed dancing powwow in her youth; she kept active in adulthood by walking and gardening. Her favorite color was pink. She valued playing with her grandchildren and her German Shepherd “Sarge”. She liked watching dramatic movies, soap operas, and game shows. She liked to listen to music while doing housework. Luanne was a good cook; she made the best fry-bread. She was a MN Timberwolves fan and cheered on the team from home. She especially treasured time spent visiting with friends and family. She will be missed dearly.

Honorary Pallbearers:

Rhonda Wipf

Jackie Ramsey

Carolyn Gurno

Laurie Neadeau

Lavonne Infante

Sherri Good

Pallbearers:

Floyd Strong

Joseph Strong

James Dudley, Sr.

Clayton Strong III

Lucas Bratvold

Jory Natewa

Chase Kingbird

Welcomed to the spirit world by:

Father: David Lussier,

Step-Father: Roger Bratvold

Maternal great grandparents: Baptise and Bertha Maxwell

Brother: Edward J. Maxwell

Brother in law: Daniel Wright

Father in law: Peter Strong, Sr.

Sisters in law: Lynette Strong, Winona Dudley

Great Uncles: Edward W. Maxwell, George Maxwell, Allen Maxwell, Donald Maxwell, Robert Maxwell, and John Maxwell

Great Aunts: Joanne Maxwell Wipf, Violet Maxwell, Melvina Maxwell, Leona Stately, and Gladys Rogers.

Grandson: Aiden Strong.

Left to Cherish her memory:

Husband:                     Clayton Strong, Sr., Red Lake, MN

Sons:                            Stephen Strong, Red Lake, MN

Clayton Strong, Jr., Red Lake, MN

Daughters:                  Floris Strong, Red Lake, MN

Miyah Kingbird, Red Lake, MN

Mother:                       Ruby Bratvold, Red Lake, MN

Sisters:                         Michelle Maxwell, Bemidji, MN

Crystal Wright, Bemidji, MN

Debra Bratvold, Bemidji, MN

Laurel (Ervin) Lussier, Red Lake, MN

Brother:                       Darren (Karen) Bratvold, Clearbrook, MN

Sister in law:                Ramona Needham Maxwell, Redby, MN

Brothers in law:           Peters Strong, Jr., Redby, MN

James Dudley, Sr., Redby, MN

Great Aunts:                June Maxwell, Blackduck, MN

Betty King, Red Lake, MN

And numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family