Fern Mollie Strandskov

Fern Mollie (Magnus) Strandskov was born to Adolph and Mollie Magnus on January17, 1940 in Avoca MN, Murray Township. She grew up on her family’s farm and lived there until her father retired from farming, at which time her brother Henry took over the family farm and Fern moved to town with her parents. Fern attended school in Fulda, MN, graduating in 1958 from Fulda High School.

Fern then attended school to become a certified nursing assistant at St. Mary’s Nursing in Minneapolis. While working as a nurse, she met Dean Strandskov and the two were married on June 10, 1961 at the First Presbyterian Church in Fulda, MN, followed by a wonderful celebration at the family farm. Fern and Dean went on to have two children whom they raised in Minneapolis and Maplewood MN. After having children, Fern worked in customer service, filling orders, for a local publishing company. She also worked as a school cook for several years.

When Dean took an early retirement he and Fern moved to Oro Valley, AZ. Fern and Dean were snowbirds for the next 19 years. They spent Memorial Day through LaborDay in Alexandria MN, at Lobster Lake and would return to their home in Oro Valley for the winter months.

While in Minnesota Fern was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren from the top of the stairs as they swam, water-skied and tubed behind the boat. She also spent many hours playing games with her grandchildren and friends.

Together Fern and Dean enjoyed the activities offered by the Sun City Oro Valley community in which they lived. They traveled many times with the Day trippers, and they were avidly involved with their church, Resurrection Lutheran of Oro Valley. Fern especially loved playing games and spent many hours playing cards. She was a competitive player and rarely lost. She kept everyone on their toes!

Fern will always be remembered for her kind heart and willingness to help others as well as a loving grandma who always made time for her grandchildren.

Fern passed away on August 27, 2025.. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean, her parents, Adolph and Mollie, her sisters, Arlene Suedbeck and Elaine Sandefur, her son-in-law, Scott Pariseau, in-laws Marlene Magnus, Russell Eacker, Archie Suedbeck.

Surviving Fern are her son Bruce (Lynn) Strandskov of Alexandria MN, her daughter Lyn Pariseau of Oro Valley AZ, her 5 grandchildren, Andrea Pariseau, Diane Pariseau (Adam Gertz), Sterling Pariseau, Trevor Strandskov (Ashley Andres) and Brett Strandskov, her great granddaughter, Alexandrea Gertz (and new great-grandchild, Leonora, due in February 2026) along with many more loving friends and family. 

A Memorial and Columbarian Service will be held at 11 am on September 11, 2025 (11 am Mountain Standard Time) at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Oro Valley Arizona, with a luncheon to follow. The service can be live streamed at www.orovalley.org. The service will be available for viewing for one month following the service%MCEPASTEBIN%%MCEPASTEBIN%