William D. Strand

Ellendale, ND-William Delano Strand, 75, of Ellendale, ND, peacefully passed away at North Dakota Veterans Home on October 13, 2020 after a valiant battle with prostate cancer.
Bill was born April 12, 1945 in Aberdeen, SD to William and Doris (Dahl) Strand of Ellendale, ND. He attended elementary school at the Strand School in Palmyra Township, and high school in Frederick, SD where "Billy" was - as he was to this day - a very gregarious, funny and engaging soul that attracted many friends. He was even named Homecoming King.
After high school, he served in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Vandenberg Air Base in Santa Barbara County, California. He returned from service in the Vietnam war to California where he met and married the love of his life, Margaret Aguillon. They moved to the family farm on the State Line where together they raised two boys, Michael, and Jason.
Farming was Bill's passion and after making the decision to transition away from that, he joined Green Iron Equipment in Ellendale as a salesman. And anyone who knew him, knew this was his true calling. He could sell like no one else - as his customers would have told you. He had humility, and a healthy sense of self and humor. Proof of Bill's magnetic personality was the accumulation of more friends than one can possibly count.
A few years after he lost his Margie, Bill moved to the Veterans Home in Lisbon, ND where he enjoyed making new friends, working in the wood shop, and holding the attention of the staff with his stories and jokes. He brought light and laughter wherever he went and his friends and caretakers at NDVH were no exception to being drawn into the tractor beam that was Bill's personality. They will miss him terribly.
Bill is survived by his sons Michael (Jeni), of Fargo, ND; and Jason, who is at the family farmstead; grandsons Parker and Ethan Strand; nephews Rob and Jeff Strand of Ohio; and the extended Strand family and descendants of Syvert Strand.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held outdoors on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Aurdal Lutheran Church on the State Line Road just east of Forbes, ND. Should the weather not cooperate, the service will be held inside the church. Justin Brotzel, Pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Frederick, SD will lead the service. Sharing of Bill’s favorite foods and beverages (and good memories too) will follow at the Elm Lake Lodge nearby. Family contact: Jeni Strand 701-306-7808. Memorials in his honor, while not expected, may be directed to Forbes, ND American Legion Post #277, Aurdal Lutheran Church, or any charity of your choice.
Carlsen Funeral Home of Ellendale.

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