Romayne (Anderson) Strand was born in Arlington, MN on October 7, 1929, to Harold and Lorna (Landeene) Anderson; she was the oldest of three. Romayne spent her early years in Arlington, then moved to Alexandria, MN, in 1945 when her family purchased the Traveler’s Inn. She worked with her family at the restaurant throughout high school and graduated in 1947. Romayne received her bachelor’s degree through attendance at Colorado Women’s College and St. Cloud State University.