Paula J. Stredde

Today, our hearts are broken as we all mourn the loss of our beloved sister, Paula Jean Stredde.  Her bright light and big heart left us too soon, but we will remember her warmth, love, and generosity. 

October 30th, 2023, Paula Jean Stredde, 60, of Pennock, MN passed away with her family by her side. Paula’s life was tragically short. For the last two years she struggled with a disease she often conquered but would come back to torment her.  

Until the end, Paula was nothing if not joyful. We will greatly miss her smile and caring spirit. But now, we are grateful that she knows what it is like to unbound with disease, pain, or treatments. 

Born August 10th, 1963, to Mary Jane (Rusten) and Carl Stredde of Pennock. Paula had three siblings Sheila, Nancy, and Jeffrey. 

Paula was active in Girls Scouts, 4-H and at her church, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Pennock.  She attended school in Pennock and then Willmar.  She graduated high school in 1981 from Willmar.  She attended Willmar Community College and received her Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Minnesota Morris. 

During high school and college, she worked for Bethesda as a cook.  After college, she did substitute work for the Willmar Public Schools for a few years and then began working for First Step Daycare as a Preschool Teacher.  A job she loved!  She became the daycare center’s director and in 2005 purchased the business.  Starting with her time babysitting for many families in the Pennock area, Paula cared for children for almost 50 years of her life. 

She will be remembered for all the heart she shared with friends, family but mostly for all the children touched by that heart. 

Family who went before:   Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Jane and Carl, grandparents and many aunts and uncles. 

Family she left behind:   She is survived by her siblings Sheila, Nancy, and Jeffrey. Her “sister” Donna Wood and husband, Glen, and their children: Dustin Syverson and his wife, Alexis, and son, Emmett, Scott Syverson and his wife, Autumn, Andrew Wood, son, Jaden, and Emily Simon and her husband, Brintton. Aunts, Marion Rusten and Deon Stredde. Many cousins and all her “First Step” children. 

We are grateful for the time, laughter, and love we have shared with Paula.  We warmly invite her family and friends to celebrate her life Sunday, November 12th at 2:00 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Pennock.  The visitation will be on Saturday, November 11th from 10 am to 1 pm at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. 

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