Sharon "Tena" Strei

Sharon "Tena" Strei, age 64, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church on Friday. Fr. Brian Oestreich will celebrate the Mass and interment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville, MN.

Funeral guests are encouraged to wear casual attire or clothing they feel comfortable in.

Sharon “Tena” Kay (Carlson) Strei was born on December 31, 1958, in Ortonville, MN, to Victor, Jr. and Helen (Heidtke) Carlson. She was the seventh of eight children in her family. Tena was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville. She grew up in the Ortonville area and attended school in Ortonville, graduating with the Class of 1977. Following, high school, Tena attended Alexandria Technical College for two years.

On September 29, 1979, Tena was united in marriage with Robert “Bob” Strei at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN. Together, they had their daughter, Megan.

Being a co-owner of a construction business was hard work but Tena loved every minute of it. She and Bob built many houses and were a part of many home remodels in the Ortonville area.

Along with owning and operating a business in Ortonville, Tena and Bob were members of the Big Stone Cruisers, she was a member of The Women of Today, and served as a Girl Scout leader. Tena was a life-long member of St. John’s Catholic Church, serving as a reader for many church services.

Tena enjoyed crafting, gardening, bird watching, and loved photographing all of the wonders she found in nature. She loved to sing and sang for many weddings for friends and family. Tena was an avid cook and baker, always having homemade doughnuts for deer hunting opening weekend. Her home was always open, and she was always willing to lend an ear to listen or offer a piece of advice to anyone who needed it. Tena loved Christmas time and worked hard to get her family together to celebrate and enjoy one another’s company. Tena and Bob were most known for their interesting and unique Halloween costumes for the Ortonville Fireman’s Halloween dance at Sioux Historic every year.

Left to cherish Tena’s memory are her husband of 43 years, Bob Strei; daughter, Megan (Craig) Nelson; granddaughter, Abigail Hjelle; siblings: Diane (Mike) Dorry, Bob (Juanita) Carlson, Mick (Pat) Carlson, Gene (Teresa) Carlson, Judy (Rodger) Jeska, Jim (Jody) Carlson, and Kate (Dan) Welberg; sister-in-law, Janet (Jim) Suckow; brothers-in-law: Dwayne Strei (Kim Muenchow); and Loren Strei; mother-in-law, Vivian Strei; along with 27 nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Victor, Jr. and Helen Carlson; baby Strei in infancy; and father-in-law, Harold Strei.