HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 February 08 Dolores Strand DayCOLUMBIA(b HEIGHTS
PROCLAMATION
Dolores Puente Strand Day, February 8, 2022
WHEREAS, Dolores Puente Strand was honored by friends and family on her 90th birthday
during the week of the 8th of February, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Dolores Puente Strand was born in Ironwood, Michigan on February 8,1932. Her
father emigrated from Spain as a young man; her mother was born in Ironwood, MI. After their
marriage, her parents initially lived in Italy for 15 years but eventually returned to Ironwood,
MI where Dolores grew up. She attended St. Ambrose School and was the Salutatorian for the
Class of 1949.On the 7th of May,1955 she married Wallace R. Strand and they have four
children, Lance, Steven, Kevin, and Diane. Dolores now has ten grandchildren and two great-
granddaughters.
WHEREAS, her love of family, selfless kindness, and high achieving personality lead to her
endless accomplishments, traveling nationally and internationally, taking part in church
activities, and book clubs; and
WHEREAS, Dolores started the Highland Elementary School PTA, and the volunteer HATS
(Heights Aid to Teachers and Students) program, is a former Toastmaster, and currently an
active member of PACIM (Polish American Cultural Institute of MN) and Sister Cities
International; and
WHEREAS, In 1981 Dolores founded our local Sister Cities International group between
Columbia Heights and Lomianki, Poland. She has been the president for 30 years and guided
the dedicated members through fundraisers, travels to Lomianki, attending national and
international Sister City International conferences, and hosting an international conference in
Minneapolis. Major accomplishments have been providing an ambulance for the Lomianki
Children's Hospital and a horse for their physical therapy program, sponsoring exchange of
Police Officers and students, and planting commemorative trees in Lomianki Park, Columbia
Heights. They donated over 200 new wheelchairs to Warsaw, Poland through the Kenneth
Behring Wheelchair Foundation. They financed the translation and publication of the Polish
documentary WWII book "Frantic 7". The Columbia Heights Sister City group won two national
awards in three years for "Best and Most Active Sister City" from smaller communities with
populations of 20,000 in the USA; and
WHEREAS, Dolores Puente Strand is an extraordinary lady, stellar citizen, and a loving mother
and wife cherished by her family, friends, and all of Columbia Heights.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Amada Marquez Simula, Mayor of Columbia
Heights,, do hereby deem it an honor and pleasure to extend this Certificate of Recognition to
Dolores Puente Strand on the occasion of her 90th Birthday with sincere congratulations and
best wishes for many more happy productive years. I proclaim February 8, 2022, as Dolores
Puente Strand Day in the City of Columbia Heights, County of Anoka, State of Minnesota,
U.S.A.
ada Marquez Simula, Mayor
February 8, 2022