Larry Gene Strand, late of Birch Hills, SK, passed away on July 8, 2017 in Birch Hills, SK, at the age of 71 years. Larry was a storyteller and this is Larry’s story. Larry Gene Strand was born December 11, 1945. He and his twin sister: Linda; and younger brother: Kelly; spent their school years in the Birch Hills area. After graduation, Larry went to the University of Saskatchewan and then spent the summers on the West Coast working for a landscaping company. His varied occupations included: Finance company agent, social worker, loans officer, credit manager and farmer. Larry and Betty were married on a Sunday in September,1970. Together they built a home and a life just metres from where they both grew up. The foundation of their household was faith and their love of Jesus. Larry loved sports. He loved playing and enjoyed watching others play baseball, hockey, basketball, tennis, curling and golf especially. He also loved to skidoo (on the river!) and also enjoyed fishing (in the summer!). Music was an integral part of who Larry was. He spent countless hours practicing with the many worship teams and groups he was a part of. He played with Legacy for ten years and often highlighted their missions trip to Romania, Hungary, and Poland. For fifteen years, Larry hosted First Friday Coffeehouse at Lake Park Church. For Larry music was an experience – he felt it to the very core of who he was. Tears would often flow as Larry listened to or participated in an especially moving song. In 2010, Larry was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In 2012, he got the call that a new set of lungs were on their way to Edmonton. His first words following the surgery and days of an induced coma were, “That sure takes a lot out of a guy!” Larry lived fully following his transplant. “Thank You God for good food and good friends.” These words prefaced shared meals with family, friends or acquaintances. Larry invested his life in family and friends. Overheard recently, “I’m a hugger, not a shaker!”
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16
Larry lived with the confidence of Heaven beyond this life. His story will continue eternally. A Celebration of Larry’s Life will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 7:00 pm at Lake Park Baptist Church, Birch Hills, SK. Interment will take place at Winton Cemetery, Birch Hills, SK, at 5:00 pm, prior to the service, everyone is welcome. In lieu of other tributes, donations in memory of Larry may be made to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation,1 – 345 3rd Ave S, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1M6 or to Birchview Auxilliary, 3 Wilson St., Birch Hills, SK, S0J 0G0. Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium. Brian and Bev Stobbs, Tracy-Lynn Switzer, Funeral Directors. Condolences may be left for the family at www.MacKenzieChapel.ca 306.763.8488

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