Strangstad, Lynette

Lynette Strangstad, 79, of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, died peacefully in St. Mary's hospital on September 10th, 2024.

She was born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, attended Rhinelander Union High School and attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She graduated with honors from UW-Stevens Point and received a master's degree in education from St. Michails College in Winooski, Vermont. 

Her early career varied: she worked as a recreational therapy aide at a private neuropsychiatric hospital in Vermont, taught English in New Hampshire, directed the sensory motor lab at the Hodan Center, was head cook at the Walker House and served as an architectural conservation apprentice for the National Trust for Historic Preservation in New York. 

Upon completion, she started her own company, Stone Faces, in Charleston, South Carolina, which specialized for over 25 years in conservation and preservation of historical burial grounds throughout the Unites States and Canada. She is considered a pioneer in her field of historical burial ground preservation. She is known throughout preservation circles in the Unites States, Canada, and parts of Europe for her work and for her book, A Graveyard Preservation Primer. She returned to Mineral Point in 1996, where she continued her work and writing. A second edition of the Primer was published in 2013. She also volunteered with the Pointer Pantry and the Iowa County Humane Society, and served on the board of directors of the Mineral Point Historical Society. 

She is survived by three nieces, Kerry Shea of Oregon, Wisconsin, Darby Shea-Kruser of Platteville, Wisconsin, and Amy Shea-Zuck of Mineral Point, Wisconsin; along with 9 great nephews and nieces and four great-great nephews, as well as her beloved dog Pepper, and many friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Caroline (Genett) Strangstad of Rhinelander, one brother, Jack, one sister, Thea, one niece, Kelly Shea, one nephew, Ryan Shea, and special friend Russell. Lyn enjoyed writing, reading, woodworking, quiet walks in the woods near her cabin, and spending time with her family. She loved rocks, trees, dogs, and nature in general, and believed in the Gaia principle, that all beings of earth are part of a single integrated system. Thus, caring for other - people, animals, plants, earth, water, air - ultimately is the same as caring for oneself. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” had special meaning for her. 

She will be dearly missed by all who loved her. 

A celebration of life will be held at Orchard Lawn, Mineral, Point, Wisconsin, at 4 p.m., September 29th