Archie Melvin Strandlund , January 16, 1921 — March 16, 2019

Archie Strandlund, 98, of Moline, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 22, 2019 at Homewood Evangelical Free Church, Moline. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Ave, Moline.

Interment will be at Moline Memorial Park where military honors will be conducted by Moline American Legion Post #246. Memorials may be made to Homewood Evangelical Free Church. Archie was born on January 16, 1921, in Mora, MN, the son of Leo and Ethel Billstrom Strandlund.

He married Lavina Dillman on June 6, 1945. They celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary before her death in August 2018. Archie served in the US Navy during World War II and became a “plank owner” when he was assigned to the commissioning crew of the USS New Jersey, which became the Navy’s most decorated battleship.

He was a Gunner’s Mate Second Class and manned a 40-millimeter anti-aircraft gun during combat operations in the Pacific. Archie was a tool and die maker with John Deere Farm Implement Manufacturers and John Deere Plow and Planter for 37 years, retiring in 1983. His zeal and commitment for education led him to continue to take classes and teach for 20 years in the Davenport Community School District and community college machine technology programs.

Archie enjoyed reading many books written in Swedish in his spare time. His home workshop was open to all; and if he could not make a repair, the project could be deemed “unfixable”. Survivors include his daughter, Gloria (John) Vana, Moline; son, Roger (Carol) Strandlund, Moline; grandchildren, Craig (Rouxlé) Vana, Columbus, WI, Kristin Vana, Denver, CO, Amy (Travis) Jargo, Austin, TX, Tim Strandlund, Fayetteville, AK; great grandchildren, Natalie Roelofse Vana, Heidi Lavina Vana; brothers, Marvin, Vernon, and John; sister, Louise Broehl; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lavina, parents, brother, Ernest, and sister, Jeanne. Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.

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