Nancy C. Rubner

Nancy C. Rubner, 65, of Parkers Prairie, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at St. Cloud Hospital.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 4 p.m.

Nancy Catherine Strain was born on February 14, 1960, in Bethesda, Maryland, to Walter and Mary (Bryant) Strain. As the second oldest of four children, she experienced many relocations along the east coast and one stint in Morocco due to her father’s military career. Nancy enjoyed playing softball in county and church leagues, was on the Devil Dolphins swim team and was also a clarinet player in the school band. She graduated from Woodbridge Senior High School in Lake Ridge, Virginia, in 1978. Following high school, Nancy worked at the USMC Post Exchange, where she met André Marsolan. They married and had a daughter, Jessica. After their separation, Nancy worked as an administrative assistant for a construction company, where she met George Rubner. Nancy and George married at the "Pink Church" in Apopka, Florida. The couple moved across the country for George’s work and settled in Parkers Prairie in 1993, shortly after welcoming their daughter, Ashley. Nancy raised both of her daughters with strength, fairness, and unwavering dedication. Nancy returned to school, earning her AAS in Computer and Voice Networking and Computer Technical Support Specialist from Alexandria Technical and Community College. She utilized her skills locally at Tastefully Simple and Donnelly Plastics. She returned home to Virginia to help care for her father until his passing in 2014. It was during this time that Nancy discovered her passion for caregiving, subsequently becoming a personal care assistant. She became an active member of Lake Ridge Baptist Church and volunteered with the Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief program, traveling to North Carolina, Florida, and Texas to assist in disaster relief efforts after hurricanes. Her selflessness, kindness, and administrative talents made her a valued team member. Nancy returned to Minnesota in 2022 to be closer to her grandchildren, known to them affectionately as "Nana". Nancy served as a waitress at Rose City Bar & Grill and most recently at L.J.'s in Miltona, where she enjoyed meeting new people, sharing stories, and connecting with others. Nancy enjoyed playing pinochle with her mother and sisters, solving puzzles, and, above all, spending quality time with family and friends. She touched countless lives through her genuine warmth and compassion, leaving behind lasting friendships and treasured memories. Nancy will be forever loved and deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her father, Walter; and a cousin, who she considered a sister, Stephanie Strain.

Nancy is survived by her daughters, Jessica (Shawn) Steiner of New Limerick, Maine and Ashley (Dustin) Hanson of Parkers Prairie, MN; step-children, Theresa (Matt) Ehrhardt and Chad (Julie) Rubner; grandchildren, Adam Steiner, Aurora Hanson,and Sterling Hanson; mother, Mary Strain of Woodbridge, VA, and stepmother, Sue Strain; sisters, Debbi (John) Rodgers of Alexandria, Virginia and Mary Padilla of Deland, Florida; brother, LeRoy (Freeda) Strain of Mount Dora, Florida; stepsister Melissa Norman of Virginia and stepbrother Matt Doering of Virginia; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Per Nancy’s wishes, in lieu of flowers memorials would be preferred to the Baptist General Association of Virginia Impact Missions in support of their Disaster Relief work. https://impactmissionsmovement.org/donate/