Floy Marie (Strange) Ward

Published 2:48 pm Thursday, January 17, 2019

August 12, 1938 – December 23, 2018

The most wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Floy Marie (Strange) Ward of Powell Butte, OR, went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 23, 2018, after suffering sudden heart failure. She was 80.

Floy was born in Arlington, WA, to Norine (Sorsdal) and Roy Perrson and later adopted and raised by Bruce Strange Sr. She attended school in Monument, OR. She moved to Burns, OR, where she married Robert Paxton (deceased). She raised two children, Sarita Paxton and Dallon Paxton, while working as a postmaster and in food service.

Floy loved her family above all and her beloved dog, Zoey, with her whole heart. She enjoyed being on her computer and sharing pictures of her loved ones on Facebook. One of her last posts shared that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the best part of getting old. Floy had a wonderful sense of humor and would laugh until tears ran down her cheeks, bringing joy to all of us who loved her. She had many hobbies, enjoyed her flower gardens, and especially crocheting beautiful gifts that will be treasured by many who knew and loved her.

She will be missed by many but none more than her friend and companion, Owen Ulam, with whom she shared the past 22 years; her daughter, Sarita (Paxton) Shultz (Warren) of Bend, OR; her son, Dallon Paxton of Rawlings, WY; brothers, Bob Strange (Terry) of Fort Smith, AR, and Bruce Strange Jr. (Jeanne) of Kimberly, OR. Also her much loved grandchildren, Joshua Ellis (Jody) of Metolius, OR, Justin Hensley (Daniella) of Redmond, OR, Joseph Skelly (Katie) of Bend, OR, Travis Dallon Paxton of Woodward, OK. Great-grandchildren, Shaun Marie Tinker, Jocelyn and Jaimee Ellis, Kylie, Malachi and Kayden Brown, Owen Hensely, Lakai and Hayden Skelly; and her great-great granddaughter, Constance LeeAnn Clement. There were many step-grandchildren she inherited along the way which she loved as her own, John Jr. and Jim Skelly, Christy and Jason Tinker, Heather Hensley, JD and Chase Mullikin, Madison and Gabi Gill, Corbin Carpenter Melissa, Levi, Brayden and Isaac Hollander, Desiree, Brian, Aleena, and Annabelle Henson, McKenzie Delong, Branden Walker, Sarah Woodall, Sarah Ellis, Mike, Arianna, May and Ali Clement, Nathan Winchell, Jim and Chris Brown.

Preceding her in death were her parents; granddaughter, Terra LeeAnn Ellis; stepson, Jim Ward; and husband, Jake C. Ward.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life in late spring.

Memorial donations in memory of Floy may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a cause that Floy supported.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25