Raymond Norvald Strand

Raymond Strand, of Milan, MN, died Friday, February 11, 2005 at the Appleton Hospital at the age of 89.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 18, 2005 at 1:30 PM at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan.  Rev. Thomas Opoien will officiate and interment will be at Kviteseid Lutheran - Milan Methodist Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday afternoon and evening at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo with the family present from 5-7:00 P.M and a prayer service at 7:00 PM.

Raymond Norvald Strand was born August 31, 1915 at Milan, MN the son of Osmund and Annie (Sandbo) Strand.  He was baptized at Kviteseid Lutheran Church and graduated from Milan High School in 1933.  Ray was an active businessman, sportsman, and volunteer in and around the Milan area his entire life.  He owned and operated Strand Hardware and Lumber, Strand Funeral Service, and Strand Fertilizer.  He served as mayor of Milan for 20 years, volunteer firefighter and chief of the fire department, president and charter member of the Milan Lion’s Club, President, Trustee and Deacon of Kviteseid Church, President of Milan Commercial Club, served on the board of Federated Telephone Company, Luther Haven Nursing Home, and Madison Lutheran Home.  Ray was named Prince of Lac qui Parle by King Boreas Russell Sweitzer of the St. Paul Winter Carnival in 1953.  He was united in marriage with Winnifred Anderson January 1, 1941.  She died November 27, 1982.  He was united in marriage with Adeline Olson Aamot January 24, 1987.

He is survived by his wife, Adeline; five children: Susan Strand of Las Vegas, NV, Nancy Strand of Milan, MN, Roger Strand and his wife Rutti of Milan, MN, Ozzie Strand of Chandler, AZ, and Margaret Sodetani and her husband Clayton of Chanhassen, MN; seven stepchildren: Jean Bettger, Carolyn Walton, John Aamot, Sue Kammen, Bruce Aamot, Bob Aamot, and Becky Culhane; twelve grandchildren: Bergen, Ben (Melissa) and Ann Standahl, Corey (Stephanie), Tygen, Taylor, and Siri Strand, Megan (Mike) Steele, Katey and Nadia Strand, and Rocky and BJ Sodetani; three great-grandchildren: Shelby, Kylie, and Brennen; several step-grand and great-grandchildren; and one sister, Florence Gilbertson of Milan, MN.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his first wife, Winnifred; two brothers: D.J. (Bud) Strand and Hans Strand; and two sisters: Mary Cain and Janet Reed.