Gerald Elmer Strand, the son of Elmer and Gladys (Ness) Strand was born on December 24, 1937 in the rural Barton, North Dakota home of his parents.  He died at the age of 79 years on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at his home in Barton, North Dakota in the care of his family and hospice.

Gerald was the oldest son of five children and grew up on the family farm west of Barton.  He graduated Valedictorian from Barton High School in 1955.  After graduation, he enlisted in the Army National Guard, Co C – 164^th Engineering Brigade and was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic training.  In 1956, he started working at Citizens State Bank in Rugby and worked there as a cashier for a few years.  In 1960, he was united in marriage to Eva Schaan and the couple made their home in Barton.  In 1961, his Guard unit was activated during the Berlin Crisis and sent to Fort Riley, Kansas in support of the airlift over Berlin.  He was honorably discharged September 16, 1964.  After his return, he went farming with his Dad until the mid-1970’s when he started working at Merchants Bank in Rugby as a loan officer and some of his customers gave him the nickname “Uncle Gerald”.  He believed in helping people, was strong willed and believed in hard work and getting things done the correct way.  He loved car racing as a driver and spectator, hunting, fishing and his grandkids.

He is survived by his wife, Eva; 3 sons, Byron (Laura) of Roseau, Minnesota, Bruce (Ginger) and Brad, all of Rugby; 13 grandchildren; 2 great grandsons; one brother, Ron (Andrea) Strand of Fargo, three sisters, Jean (Ken) Benson of Arizona; Linda (Rex) Linton of Surrey and LaVonne (Bob) Headquist of Florida; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by a son, Brent; and his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 8 at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with spring burial in the West Barton Cemetery, Barton.  Father Tom Graner, officiating.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday and will continue from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  There will be no reviewal in the church.

Rosary and vigil prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.