Rene Hunter Strahan
Rene Nikole Hunter Strahan, 39, of Albuquerque, NM and formerly of Polson, MT, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010 at her home.
Rene was born on July 12, 1970 in Polson, Montana, the daughter of Wilbert Michel and the late Florence Hunter, who passed away in 2001. She attended local schools and graduated from Polson High School in 1988. Afterwards, she attended MSU for two years.
Rene married Christopher Strahan. Becoming a military wife, they traveled all over the US as Chris was stationed at different Air Force Bases. She worked for various companies including National Wildlife Fish and Game in Kodiak, AK, served as a hospital coordinator in New Jersey and also at the Division of Lands for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Polson, MT.
During her life, Renee enjoyed writing, traveling and taking her family to places they have never been before. She was always planning vacations with her whole family. Above all, she loved spending time with her family and was loved very much by the children in the neighborhood. Rene was a very kind person who had a big heart. She was a good mother and wife and excelled in everything she did.
Those left with cherished memories are her husband, Christopher Strahan, her three sons, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Derek Strahan all of Albuquerque, NM; her father, Wilbert Michel of Polson; grandparents, Mary West of Polson and Clarence Hunter and Dorothy Felsman of Arlee, MT; several extended sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles that grew up with her and helped grandmother raise Rene. She will be greatly missed by all her family.
Rene’s family will receive friends on Monday, March 8, 2010, from 5 – 8 PM at Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson, with a vigil service beginning at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Polson with Father James Connor officiating. Interment will follow at St. Ignatius Catholic Cemtery, St. Ignatius, MT. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for the family of Mrs. Strahan.
Chris and boys,
We are here for you. Our hearts are heavy and our prayers are with you. I have been thinking of her a lot lately and tried to email her a few times but haven’t gotten a response. I was so sad to hear the news today. My crazy beautiful cousin I am going to miss you.
I’m so sorry to hear about your lose. I Love all of you guys and my prayers are with you.
so sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you.
It is with a heavy heart I write this message…Rene was a great friend in my middle school & high school years & we had talked on the phone several times in the last few months when we re-connected through facebook. I would like to pass on my condolences to the Hunter & Strahan families. My prayers are with you in this difficult time.
rene will be missed more then any one can imagine.she will be in my hart
My heart goes out to you. We were good friends in high school. I’m so glad I got to see her at our class reunion couple of years ago. She will be forever remembered.
My thougths and prayers go out to the family. I will always carry a special place in my heart for Rene. She was a friend that could always be counted on. Her smile was so bright and beautiful it was infectious. I know God embraced her with open arms, much as Rene did with people whom knew her.
To her grandmother Ethel- you raised a wonderful, beautiful woman and I am so blessed to have been a part of her life. she was taken from this world to soon, but left behind a piece of herself in her three sons whom she loved more than anything.
REST IN PEACE RENE – LYLASBAHOALM!!!!!!
Christopher I’m so sorry to hear about Rene My daughter and Rene Where good friends and spent alot of time at our home. Our prayers are with you and your family
Dear Ethel and family,
Unexpected things happen to us, around us – family and friends and faith are what give us strength, support helping to continue. You are much loved.
Most sincerely,
Etta and Richard
So sorry Chris to her about Rene’. I was so glad to meet you at our 20 year class reunion. I was so suprised to see Rene’ and now I am so glad I came home to get that chance. When I got the call it brought back so many memories of us when we were kids and how we did just about everything together.I am so glad she was my best friend as we grew up and wish we could have been more in touch. I will miss you Rene’ even if we grew apart throughout the 20 years. So sorry I couldn’t be there for the funeral Chris but 16 hours is just to far to come so you all will be in my prayers though this very tough time.
We will truely miss Rene, she was so vivacious. Her quick sly smile, twinkling eyes and warm hugs. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and with her family.
Chris, Zeke, Zach and Derek – We are thinking about you and praying for you! Rene loved you so much and was so proud of you! Over the last 10 years, it was clear that no matter what she was going through, you were what kept her going. Even though I have known her since kindergarten, it wasn’t until about 10 years ago, when God caused our paths to cross in C-Springs, that I really started getting to know her. I will miss talking to her but am so thankful she loved Jesus and that she is with Him today. She went through so much over the last several years, but I know she has, at last, found peace. Chris, when you called to tell me, I was just in shock. I have tried to call you back several times. Please keep in touch — we care about you and the boys.
Ethel – In my conversations with Rene, it was clear that she loved you and wanted you to be proud of her. I know you were. My heart goes out to you and the entire Hunter family. You will remain in our prayers.
Sorry for you loss, she will be greatly missed by the familes, that she touched, with her big smile and caring ways.
My prayers go out to Rene’s family. This is a huge loss for all of them. God Bless each of You.
My deepest sympathy goes out to Rene’s Family, Please take care of Ethel who loved her granddaughter so much..my prayers are with each and every one Connie
Dear Ethel and family, I was so sorry to get this news. She is with Florence and all the angels now. My prayers are with you now and always. Kathy Harrod and family
I am sorry for the loss of your loved one. All of us have experienced losing someone and it is never easy. I have been able to cope with such losses by relying on God’s word the bible for encouragement. This has been very beneficial in my life. God truly wants you to look to him for comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 helps us to appreciate that he is the Father of tender mercies and of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations. When his son, Jesus, walked the earth he pointed towards the resurrection. At John 11:25 he stated ‘I am resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.” This resurrection gives you and I the hope of being reunited with our loved ones. I eagerly await the time when the “enemy death will be brought to nothing”. (1Corinthians 15:25,26) I have confidence in all of the above because TItus 1:2 tells us that God can not lie. May these thoughts bring you comfort and hope.
To all of Rene’s family and friends;
I want to say “Thank You” to everyone who came to services either in Polson or Albuquerque and those who have reached out to us in your words and prayers! Rene’ truely was an amazing woman! My life has been “Blessed” in ways that are too numerous to say and I will forever be thankful for the 19 years she chose to call me husband and friend. She gave me the three greatest children in the world, in Zeke, Zech and Derek and we will do our very best to keep her memory alive each day! Rene’ will be missed in ways that can’t be imagined and I feel as if half (Definitely the “better” half!) of my body has been removed and a hole has been left that only Jesus can even begin to fill!
To all that knew Rene’ in life, she loved each of you more than you know! She had that wonderful ability to “Love and accept people at face value, unconditionally, with her whole heart.” She did not discriminate or choose between people she loved, she loved (and still loves and cares for) you all! I know in my heart that she will be one of the first waiting, with open arms, to greet each of us when we are called home also! I wish you all well and hope we will meet again.
Rene’;
My wife, lover, and very best friend in the world! Thank you for choosing me! I did not deserve you, yet, you still gave me the greatest 19 years of my life! I will never stop loving you! I would do it all over again! And in the words of your favorite song;
“Friends are friends FOREVER, When the Lord’s the Lord of them! And a friend will not say never, because the welcome will NOT end! Though it’s HARD to let you go, in the Father’s hand we know……..That a lifetimes not too long, to live as FRIENDS!”
I can’t wait to laugh with you and see you again! XO Chris
Dear All,
I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. Rene was a very special person and I know how much she will be missed. I look forward to seeing her again in heaven. God’s peace to you.
Becky