Jean 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.

The year 1914 was a time of change. With the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, the First World War exploded throughout Europe. Amid this climate of uncertainty, Robert Marshall and his wife Janet Ross maintained their optimistic spirits by focusing on a different future, the future of their family. They were expecting a child, and on December 10, 1914 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their daughter Jean.

Jean was born in Chicago, Illinois where her parents had settled after emigrating from Scotland. Her father supported the family through his job as an accountant, and her mother worked as a housekeeper for the Armour Family, the owners of the Armour Meatpacking Company. The second of five children, Jean grew up with the close companionship of her brothers and sisters. The Marshall family attended Roberts Memorial Gospel Hall, where Jean received the spiritual education that would guide her throughout her life. Just as the Depression spread through the country, the Marshall family suffered a tragic loss. Jean's father passed away due to accidental injuries that he sustained during a train accident. He was thirty-six years old. Although the Depression was a difficult time, Jean's mother was able to stay at home to raise the children.

Jean went to elementary school in Chicago, and she graduated from Calumet High School. After earning her diploma, she enrolled at Moser Business School. Her degree enabled her to find work at Clearing State Bank. In addition to her primary job, she also worked as the secretary for a local social club. A young man named Kasmir Strance belonged to this club. He and Jean became acquainted, and a romance soon developed between them. Two years later, in 1937, they were married in Chicago. The newlyweds enjoyed a weekend honeymoon, from which they returned in time for work on Monday. Jean and Kasmir were blessed with three wonderful children, Robert, Joseph, and Janet.

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 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. Mrs. Strance will repose at Rest Haven Home, 1424 Union N.E. Thursday from 1:30 until 2:30 at which time a funeral service will take place. Mrs. Strance will repose at the LaGrange Bible Church, 850 S. 7th Ave, LaGrange, IL where relatives and. friends may meet her family Friday from 3 P.M. until 7 P.M. at which time a funeral service will be held. Interment will be held Saturday at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Chicago, IL. Contributions in her memory may be made to Rest Haven Homes, 1424 Union NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. Please visit Jean's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can share a memory or sign the online register book.