CW5 Jerry L. Strande

CW5 Jerry L. Strande, 71 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry Lee Strande, son of Melvin and Vivian (Sorlien) Strande was born on August 29, 1947 at Northwood, North Dakota. He was reared and educated in Northwood and graduated from Northwood High School with the class of 1965.  Jerry was a baptized and confirmed member Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Northwood.

After graduating from high school, Jerry joined the North Dakota Army National Guard on February 18, 1967 and began a 40 year career, serving his country. His first duty assignment was with the Military Police, stationed out of the Mayville, North Dakota Unit.  In 1973, the family moved to Devils Lake and he was stationed at Camp Grafton as a heavy equipment mechanic. When he retired from Camp Grafton he was supervisor of the UTES. (Unit Training and Equipment Site)  Upon retirement from the North Dakota Army National Guard he was the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the North Dakota Guard. 

In January of 2003, Jerry was sent to Fort Carson, Colorado for training before his deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom at Balad, Iraq in April of 2003. He served with the Headquarters Service Company 142^nd Engineering Combat Battalion until his deployment ended in May of 2004.  Jerry returned to his duties at Camp Grafton and retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 on September 1, 2007 after 40 years, 6 months and 13 days. 

During Jerry’s military career he was the recipient of many medals, badges and commendations including 2 Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Army Achievement and Humanitarian Service Medals, 8 Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Marksmanship and Sharpshooter Badge with Pistol and Rifle Bar, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and many others. He proudly served his country with honor and dedication. 

Jerry’s second passion was farming. He worked first for George Brown and then was a right hand man to his dear friend Tony Nordin at the Nordin farm. When he wasn’t working at the farm, Jerry was driving around the country side checking the crops of the Lake Region area.  He enjoyed a good cup of coffee and good conversation with friends at the White House Café.   Jerry was a life member of the VFW Post #756 and also the American Legion.  He also was a part of the Devils Lake Rural Volunteer Fire Department Team. 

Jerry’s most treasured moments were those he spent with his family. His grandson Braxton was Jerry’s side-kick. Jerry took him to the farm to ride on the tractor, got him to school, baseball games, he was Grandpa’s boy. Health issues slowed Jerry down a bit, but it never broke his spirit. His faith, his love for his family and his country are the traits admired and respected by all who knew and loved him.

Jerry is survived by his loving family. His mother Vivian Strande, Northwood, ND; children Jay (Tracey) Strande, Madison Lake, MN, Cherilyn (Clint DeVier) Strande, Devils Lake, Shannon (Steve) Hanson, Fargo, ND and Marc (Amber) Strande also of Devils Lake; step sons Brett Halvorson, Hudson, WI and Ben (Merissa) Halvorson, Devils Lake; thirteen grandchildren Heather (Cory) Grover, Tucker Strande and Harley Strande-Amanda Anderson, Shelbi Bryl, Kaitlyn (Austin) Bryl-Nathan Hanson-Braxton and Tegan Strande-Brady, Ruby, Henry and Holly Halvorson; four great grandsons Everett, Cullin, Kyzer and Leo; mother of his children Cheryl Strande, Devils Lake; sisters Janet (Gary) Bratlie, Northwood and Mae (John) Schol, Visalia, CA; brother Michael (Leonida) Strande, Thompson, ND; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin.

Funeral Services for Jerry will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Reuben Schnaidt officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 12:00 noon until time of service.

Graveside Services will be held on Friday, August 2, 2019 at 12:00 noon at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team-Army. 

Casket Bearers will be Tucker Strande, Nathan Hanson, Dale Moench, Tony Nordin, Rodney Boll and Eric Olerud. Music will be provided by Rick Senger.