Jean Ross Marshall Strance
Jean Strance was a committed Christian who dedicated her life to her faith and her family. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandma who found her greatest moments of happiness in the warm company of her loved ones.
Early Life
Jean was born Dec. 10, 1914 to Robert and Janet Marshall in Chicago, where her parents had settled after emigrating from Scotland. Her father was an accountant, and her mother worked as a housekeeper for the Armour family, owners of the Armour Meatpacking Company. The second of five children, she was raised at Roberts Memorial Gospel Hall, where she "received the spiritual education that would guide her throughout her life".
Jean's father, Robert, died at the age of thirty-six in 1925 due to injuries he sustained during a train accident. Jean's mother continued to stay at home to raise the children, in spite of the Depression. Jean attended elementary school in Chicago, then graduated from Calumet High School. She then enrolled at Moser Business School, then started work at Clearing State Bank. She also worked as the secretary for a local social club where she met Kasmir Charles Strance in 1935. Two years later, in 1937, they were married in Chicago. They enjoyed a weekend honeymoon, but returned in time for work on Monday.
Jean and Kasmir had three children:
- Robert J/L Strance married Beverley and lives in La Grange, IL.
- Joseph Charles Strance (1940-2016) married Laureen, and lived in Huntley, IL.
- Janet married Ken Murray who has served many years at Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA.
Jean and Kasmir remained members of the Roberts Memorial Gospel Hall, where they were extremely active members. If the church doors were open, you could find Jean inside. She had a gift for hospitality, and she often spent entire afternoons in the church kitchen preparing food and treats. This gift of hospitality extended to the home as well. Jean often invited people over for meals and fellowship, and she and Kasmir hosted many missionaries over the years. The Strance home was also a place for Jean's children and their friends. In the mid-1940's they purchased one of the neighborhood's first televisions, and all the kids enjoyed coming over to watch.
Kasmir provided for the family through his job as a painting contractor for the Chicago area, and Jean was his "business partner." With her flair for organization, she was in charge of all the business books and customer relations. Jean's personality was very agreeable, and she formed many valuable friendships through her work.
Jean was known for her wonderful memory. She was the family historian: she knew who was related to who and she could recite their relationships very easily. She also remembered many special details. For many years after a wedding, for example, she could remember the gifts that were given.
Throughout Kasmir and Jean's career, they would go to contractor conventions in different parts of the country. Traveling was one of their favorite hobbies. Though Kasmir never retired, he and Jean always found time to go on vacation together. They were privileged to visit Florida and to go on several cruises. In 1982, Kasmir passed away while he was still operating his business. Jean continued to operate the business with the help of her son Joseph, who eventually took over.
Jean continued to live, work, and attend church in the Chicago area. Before Jean was physically unable to travel, she spent 20 years wintering at Park of the Palms Florida. She moved into a condo, in Dubuque, Iowa, where she lived for a few years before deciding that she needed more care. Refusing to burden her family, she chose to live at Rest Haven Home in Grand Rapids. The retirement home was affiliated with her church in Chicago, and Jean recognized many faces from her congregation. Here she built new friendships and rekindled old ones.
With her gift of warm hospitality, Jean earned a place in the hearts of many. Among the many people who loved her, she will be remembered for her selfless, compassionate and Christian virtues.
Jean died on Tuesday November 7, 2006. Surviving are her children: Robert and Beverley Strance of LaGrange IL, Joseph and Laureen Strance of Huntley IL, Janet and Ken Murray of Dubuque IA, 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, her brother David Marshall of Detroit and nieces and nephews. There were memorial services at Rest Haven Home, as well as at LaGrange Bible Church, with contributions recommended towards Rest Haven Home.
Sources
- primarily adapted from Jean's obituary
- Ancestry.com
- FindaGrave.com