Earl Strand, 94

Earl Strand, 94, passed away on March 6, 2023. Earl Strand danced through the gates of Heaven, where he reunited with Elaine, to continue on.

Earl, a good and honest man, was already ready to assist others and especially the elderly ladies. Earl was born on March 12, 1928, in a small town in North Dakota. In 1946 Earl enlisted in the Army/Air forces. He was stationed in Japan and discharged in 1949. He returned to Westby and finished high school and met Elaine and they were married two years later. They were married 70 years before Elaine's passing. They have three children, Tim, Teri and Todd.

They ran a hardware store in Westby, and when he had an opportunity to work at Plum Creek in Columbia Falls they relocated in 1965.

For 60 years they continued with many hours of dancing, square dance, round, ballroom and teaching in the basement of their home. When he retired to start a Mr. Fix It business ... it was not a moneymaker, but he loved helping others.

He is the last of his family but is survived by children Tim and Verna of Boise, Teri and Wayne Beatty, and Todd of Kalispell; as well as nine grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

His memorial service will be 11 a.m. May 6, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell. I wish to thank his doctors, the VA, Prestige Assisted Living, Expressions and Hestia Hospice Advantage Group who all gave my dad such wonderful care.

He will be missed greatly by all.