Mignon Lynn Strain, age 70, of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 22, 2018 after overcoming breast cancer and then later battling leukemia.

    Mignon was born on April 27, 1947 in Storm Lake, IA, to parents Lannes and Marjory (Wintersteen) Mills. She grew up on the family’s Century Farm just north of Sac City, where she was raised in the church and was baptized as a young girl. Mignon attended grade school and graduated from Sac Community High School in 1965. She continued her education at the University of South Dakota, Iowa State University and graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1970. 

    On December 28, 1970, Mignon was united in marriage to Frank Strain at the Presbyterian Church in Lytton, IA. Their union was blessed with three children: Allison, Christopher and Karla. Mignon had many occupations throughout her years. She was a homemaker, home economics teacher, an accomplished seamstress and tailor, preschool teacher and substitute teacher. She also worked at Da-Le Monogramming and was a Dietary Manager at Loring Hospital until her retirement in December of 2010.

    To Mignon, faith, family and friends were #1. She enjoyed reading, quilting and doing numerous sewing projects. She loved to cook and bake. She and Frank maintained a large garden from which she enjoyed canning and freezing the fresh produce as well as sharing with neighbors and friends. Mignon loved being outside and being active. She participated in the annual Strain “Tour de Farm” bike ride, going on long walks with Frank, spending time with friends at water aerobics and going on fun filled adventures with friends organized by the Iowa State Bank Friendship Club. While at home, she enjoyed ceramics, knitting, cross-stitch, macramé, and various other crafting projects. 

    Mignon was very involved throughout her community. She was an active member of the Sac City Church of Christ, a member of the PTA and served as a Room Mother. She was a 4-H leader for many years and helped judge 4-H projects at the Sac County Fair. Mignon was a Den Mother for the local Cub Scouts and past officers for “Friends of the Library”, P.E.O, and Fortnightly Book Club. She was also a member of “100 People Who Care” in Sac County, the local quilt group, Quilt-A-Fair volunteer, and Sac City Fine Arts Council member. She also belonged to the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries. Mignon donated her time to make homemade American Girl Doll clothes to raise money for the Loring Hospital Auxiliary and Sac City Library. She donated blood regularly until her health declined.

    Mignon was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She enjoyed spending quality time with her grandchildren and taking family vacations through the years. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

    Left to cherish Mignon’s memory are her husband Frank C. Strain of Sac City, IA; children: Allison Strain of Lancaster, CA, Christopher (Amy) Strain of Cedar Rapids, IA and Karla Strain of Jefferson City, MO; grandchildren: Jacob Strain and Lauren Strain of Cedar Rapids, IA; sisters: Maggie Sue Fay of La Junta, CO, Marcia (Jim) Nusz of St. Louis, MO, Muriel (Carlton) Holt of Mansfield, TX; sister-in-law Doris (Dick) Hugg of Westside, IA; brother-in-law Chuck (Jeannette) Strain of Lytton, IA; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

    Mignon was preceded in death by her parents Lannes and Marjory Mills; father and mother-in-law C. Clyde and Margaret Strain, brothers-in-law Maurice Fay and Merlin Gregg; sister-in-law Alice (Strain) Gregg; and nephew Wesley Gregg.