July 27, 2010
Denfeld Alumni News

Longtime Denfeld English teacher Dale Strand dies at 77

Dale J. Strand, an English teacher at Denfeld for 35 years, died July 27 in his Duluth home. He was 77.

He was born on July 24, 1933, in Lisbon, N.D., to Sophie and Elmer Strand. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisbon.

After graduating from Lisbon High School in 1951, he attended North Dakota State University and served in the U.S. Army. He attended Valley City State Teachers College, where he met his future wife, Judy. They graduated together in 1957 with bachelor of science degrees in education, and that summer, they were married.

They moved to Leeds, N.D., and began their first teaching jobs. During four years in Leeds, Dale enrolled summers at the University of N.D., Grand Forks, where he completed his masters degree.

In the fall of 1961, the family moved to Duluth where Dale had accepted a position as an English teacher at Denfeld High School. He retired in 1992.

During his retirement, Dale organized the Denfeld Tuesday Club. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, camping, hunting, fishing and playing cards and games with his family. He was a life member of the Elks Club. He was also a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher, was active with Men in Mission and sat on the church council.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents and brother Hershel Strand. He is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter Jill R. Strand (Terry Seip) of Duluth; sons Jay D. (Jodi) Strand of Phoenix and Steven J. Strand of Duluth; sisters Phyllis Hehn of Minot, N.D., Joyce (Curtis) Loucks of Rugby, N.D. and Muriel Tisdale of Birmingham, Ala.; grandchildren Chloe, Jamie and Jenni; and many nieces and nephews.