Harold C. Strand Sr.

Harold C. Strand Sr., 86 of Devils Lake formerly of Edmore, ND died on Wednesday, December 07, 2005 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Services for Harold will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Harold Ovre will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Harold will be: Robert Schnieder and James Eaton, great grandsons, Karl Krogfoss, nephew and Lewis Dodgson, Dennis Riggin and Roger Schwan, friends. Honorary Casket Bearers will be All of Harold’s Many Friends and Family. Music will be provided by Oliver Sampson, soloist and Lynda Pearson, Organist Harold C. Strand was born on January 22, 1919 at Edmore, ND one of sixteen children born to Gilbert and Gilbjor (Olson) Strand. He was reared and educated in the Edmore/Lawton area. On July 20, 1942, Harold entered the United States Army, serving his country during World War II. He served in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe as a machine gunner with the Battery “B”, 360th FA Battalion and received the American Theater and European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medals. He also received a very special Certificate of Commendation for his outstanding and especially meritorious performance of duty during the Metz Campaign. He was honorably discharged on November 23, 1945 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota with the rank of PFC. He returned to North Dakota for a short time and then moved to Minnesota. Here, Harold met and married his dear June Haggard on November 18, 1947 at Park Rapids, Minnesota. They established their home at Lake George, Minnesota where Harold worked as a lumberjack. After a few years, they moved to Edmore and Harold farmed with his brothers and also helped out on several area farms. In 1948, they moved to Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family. Harold worked as a mechanic in several Devils Lake businesses, including the Buick Garage, Young’s Auto, Suburban Sales and Riggin Motors until he retired. Harold was a former member of the VFW. Harold was an avid gardener and spent many hours canning the large amounts of produce from his gardens. He also enjoyed camping and fishing with his family and friends. Harold is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, June Children: Betty Strand-Schwan and her husband, Victor of Michigan, ND Elizabeth Strand of Devils Lake Harold Strand Jr. of Devils Lake Richard Strand and his wife, Rene Johnson-Strand also of Devils Lake Five Grandchildren: Lynn Eaton, Andriea Strand, Carl Strand, Samantha Strand and Michaelah Strand Three Great Grandchildren: Robert (Angie) Schneider, James Eaton and Donna Eaton. One Great Great Granddaughter: Emily Schneider Sister: Helga Landsem, Edmore He was preceded in death by his parents; four grandchildren, Donna Beck, James Beck, Anthony Schneider and Jennifer Strand; brothers, Ole, George, Andrew, Julius, Oscar, Reuben and Ernest Strand; sisters, Gena Midjaas, Inga Askelson, Ruby McCallahan, Myrtle Severtson, Thelma Krogfoss and Margie Conn and a sibling at birth.