Elaine Quam Strand, 87

On Sept 18, 2021, our mom and wife danced her last dance through the gates as she entered heaven.

Elaine was born on July 3, 1934, in Westby, Montana.

After dating for two years, Elaine married Earl Strand on July 22, 1951.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Earl; their three children, Tim of Boise, Idaho, Teri and Wayne Beatty of Kalispell, and Todd now in Kalispell. They have six grandkids, Jeff and Penny Strand of Boise, Jason and Amber Beatty, Trista and BJ Arentz, Adam and Kelly Strand and Zachary Strand, all of Kalispell, and Jake Strand of Indiana; and great-grands, Kelsey and Cooper Strand, Easton Arentz, Ryder and Ridge Beatty.

They lived in Westby until 1965 when Earl was fortunate to be hired by Plum Creek Lumber. They were thrilled when the opportunity arose to move to beautiful Kalispell. Elaine worked at Montgomery Ward’s fashion floor where she made many wonderful longtime friends. In 1971 she was hired as corporate bookkeeper for Western Building Center where she worked until retiring.

Elaine and Earl worked hard and played hard. They loved to dance, round dancing, square dancing and ballroom dancing, and also taught dance classes. Great memories were made. Dancing on airplanes and ships was great fun. In their many travels they renewed their wedding vows three times and now celebrate 70 years of marriage. At a young age a family friend taught Elaine to sew; she was blessed with a natural talent to sew, and with this she was able to make extra money after they married.

Funeral services will be Friday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell.