Ronald Strand of South Haven, formerly of Kingston, died Wednesday, April 25, 2007, in North Platte, Neb. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 30, at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Dassel with Rev. Lloyd Melvie and Rev. Michael McCain officiating. Burial was at Lake Union Covenant Cemetery in South Haven. Friends called from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. A prayer service was held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Ronald Clark Strand was born Sept. 1, 1939, in Southside Township to Donald and Selma (Olson) Strand. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed in 1953 at Lake Union Covenant Church. He grew up on the family farm and received his education at Lake Francis School and Annandale High School, class of 1957. Ron worked at Augsburg Publishing House in Minneapolis from 1958-1996 as a journeyman bookbinder and bindery foreman. He was a member of Lake Union Covenant Church, near South Haven, and a former member of Ostmark Lutheran Church, near Watkins. He was an active member and served on boards at both churches. He served his country in the National Guard from 1961-1967. He was a charter member of Kingston Lions, and served on the Meeker County Fair Board and Kingston City Council. In retirement, Ron mowed road ditches for Meeker County and, in 2003, he moved to his dream home in the country. He loved his family, friends, hunting, fishing, traveling, and the outdoors. Ron and Joann’s great joy in life was entertaining family and friends at their home. Ronald was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 44 years Joann; daughters Darly (and Gary) Boucher of Granby, Conn., and Dana (and Rob) O’Connor of Denver, Colo.; brothers Wally (and Jan) Strand of Kimball, and Charles (and Linda) Strand of Brooklyn Park; grandson Quinn Clark O’Connor; step-granddaughters Alyssa, Lauren and Olivia Boucher; aunt Hazel Strand; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Pallbearers were Jeffrey Strand, Mark Strand, Brian Meline, Dan Glessing, Spencer Pannhoff and Chris Olson. Music was provided by soloist Keith Johnson and organist Harvey Peterson. Memorials are preferred to the Lake Union Covenant Church Building Fund.
