Richard Strand

Richard Donald "Dick" Strand, 86, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, December 18, 2010, at the PioneerCare Center in Fergus Falls.  He was born September 3, 1924, in Crookston, Minnesota. He was the youngest of eight children born to Norwegian immigrant parents Richard A. and Karoline (Paasche) Strand. He grew up in a neighborhood with many of his siblings, nieces, and nephews . . . a neighborhood where there was never a shortage of things to do . . . where imaginations blossomed and true play was the order of the day. Dick graduated from Crookston High School in 1942. During his high school years he sang in the choir and played football. He earned the nickname "Killer Strand" while playing football at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He and his sister, Betty, were the first in the family to attend college. Dick graduated from Concordia in 1946 with a degree in math and science. He taught in Starbuck, Minnesota, where he met his first wife, Evelyne Mae Johnson. They were married November 1, 1947. They moved to Fertile, Minnesota, where their first son, Bruce Allan, was born. After teaching a year in Fertile, they moved to Larimore, North Dakota, where Dick taught math and science and coached basketball from 1948 through 1954. During this time their second son, Paul John, and their daughter, Nancy Leone, were born. Dick received his Master of Education degree from the University of North Dakota in 1954. The family moved to Big Lake, Minnesota, where he served as the high school principal from 1954 until his retirement in 1982. Summers were spent at their cabin on Swan Lake just outside of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. During the summer months, Dick worked on the survey crew or on road construction. After his retirement and up until Evie's death in 1990, winter months were spent with their son, Paul, and his family in San Diego, California. He married Marian Kohlmeyer November 8, 1997. They resided in Park Rapids, Minnesota, and more recently in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church, and he enjoyed attending concerts as a member of the Fergus Falls Center for the Arts. Dick lived at Mill Street Residence in Fergus Falls until October of 2010 when he moved to the Pioneer Home. He kept himself active by attending daily exercise classes, playing bingo, and participating in many of the special activities offered to the residents. Preceding him in death were his parents, five sisters, one brother, his first wife, Evie, and his eldest son, Bruce. Celebrating his life and mourning his loss are his wife, Marian, of Fergus Falls; his sister, Betty, of Moorhead; his son, Paul (Sarah) Strand of San Diego, California; his daughter, Nancy (Jay) Adams of Fergus Falls; his daughter-in-law, Teresa Strand, of Big Lake, Minnesota; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; his step family; and many wonderful friends. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the funeral home Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Saturday, January 8, 2011 at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Phil Tobin Interment: Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Amor, Minnesota Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls