Gloria Strandquist

Gloria Jean (Kading) Strandquist, age 84, of Rogers, MN, previously of Dassel, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 13, 2025.  She was born May 24, 1940 in Creston, IA and grew up on the family farm south of Casey, IA. Gloria graduated from Adair Casey High School in 1958 and then moved to Minneapolis, MN where she met her future husband, H. William "Bill" Strandquist.  They were married February 11, 1961 and they spent almost 60 years together.  They had 3 children and raised them in Burnsville, MN. She enjoyed working in the food service industry and worked at restaurants including The King's Inn in St. Louis Park and Dayton's department store restaurant in Burnsville.  In 1987, Gloria and Bill purchased Red's Family Restaurant in Howard Lake, MN.  At the restaurant, in addition to running the kitchen,  she mentored and trained many employees throughout the years.  Gloria and Bill made their home for the next 33 years in Dassel, MN.  Gloria loved gardening, bird watching, cooking, baking, family celebrations and reunions, cabin life, traveling, and grandchildren's school events and sports. She was friendly and warm and made everyone she met feel welcomed, and loved hearing about people’s lives.  After Bill's death in 2021, Gloria moved to Rogers, MN.  She will be missed by her family and many friends, including those who resided at Heritage Place Senior Living.  

Gloria is preceded in death by parents, Albert & Naomi (Weber) Kading; husband, Bill Strandquist; sister, Shirley Hardscog; and brother, Marvin Kading.  Survived by children, Douglas Strandquist of St. Paul, MN, Brad (Lisa) Strandquist of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Beth (Steve) Knudsen of Rogers; grandchildren, Kathryn (Tanner) Jackson, Olivia Strandquist, Joseph Strandquist, Dane Knudsen, Samuel Knudsen, and Thomas Knudsen; great granddaughters, Nora and Josephine; brother-in-law, Martin Hardscog; sisters-in-law, Sharon “Sheri” Kading, Jane (Jim) Morrow, and Betty (Robert) Van Tassel; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  Memorial Service 11 AM Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 221 Atlantic Ave. E, Dassel, with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the church and lunch to follow the service.