Sheila Jeanne Strand, 51, of Mandeville, LA, and formerly of Eau Claire, WI, and Minneapolis, MN, died Thursday, May 31, 2007, in Mandeville after an illness.\r\nSheila was born October 17, 1955, in Eau Claire to Henry O. and Betty Cooper Strand. She attended Eau Claire Memorial and UW-Eau Claire.\r\nSheila worked for various companies in Eau Claire and Minneapolis, beginning as a data entry operator and being promoted in turn to Project Manager, Operations Manager and Technology Service Center Director. When her mother became ill, Sheila took care of her at home for nearly two years until Betty's death. Sheila then moved to Mandeville to become Insurance Billing Manager for Mandeville Plastic Surgery.\r\nSheila was one of those rare people who are seldom seen without a smile. She loved all things tropical, especially Hawaii and anything to do with pink flamingos. Her idea of the proper attire for most occasions was a bright Hawaiian shirt. Her lifelong friend was Cindy Teisberg, and the Teisbergs informally adopted Sheila into their extended family. Cindy married Dr. Ron Hewitt, and Sheila later became godmother to their children, Laura, Anna and Brett. Sheila was also godmother to her nephews Jack Strand and Brian Harrison Strand. Sheila was a friendly and generous person, one who supported and protected her family and friends.\r\nSheila is survived by five siblings, Marc (wife Lisa Reiman-Strand), Jon, Brian, David and Mary Strand (husband Tom Fraser); three nieces and five nephews; one grand-nephew; six aunts and one uncle; and many cousins.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Karen Strand; brother, Patrick Strand; and infant twin siblings, Peter and Mary Jeanne Strand.\r\nMass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 7, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 418 N. Dewey St, Eau Claire, with Father Robert Wagner and Deacon Larry J. Agema officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home is serving her family.\r\n

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