Richard Strande - Brookings

Sept. 24, 1935 - Feb. 9, 2019

Posted

Richard “Rich” Strande, age 83, of Brookings, passed away Feb. 9, 2019, at the Brookings Hospital. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 15, 2019, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings with burial in First Lutheran Cemetery at Volga. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2019, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Richard A. Strande was born on September 24, 1935, in Volga, the son of Raymond and Evelyn (Sundet) Strande. 

He graduated from Volga High School in 1953, and continued his education at South Dakota State University, graduating in 1958. Rich married Ruth Ann Lee in 1956.  Upon graduation from SDSU, he entered the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant.  Upon completing his military obligation, Rich began his teaching / coaching career in Redfield, SD in 1961.  He received a Master’s Degree in 1972, from Northern State College.  Rich continued his teaching and coaching career after moving to Brookings in 1979, until his retirement in 1997.

During his 36 years career, Rich taught Middle School Science. His opinion was that the middle school age students were the best!  He coached at both the sub-varsity and varsity level including basketball, track & field, football, cross country and wrestling.  Two of Rich’s wrestling teams won State Championship titles - Redfield in 1977, and Brookings in 1989, which produced three individual state champions.  Rich was honored twice as Wrestling Coach of the Year (1977 & 1989).  In 1990, he was inducted into the SDHS Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.  In 1994, Rich was inducted into the SDHS Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Ruth Ann died in 1995, after 39 years of marriage. They were blessed with one daughter and four sons. In 1998, he was united in marriage to Darla (Winkelman) Smith.  He was an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings, where he devoted a lifetime commitment.  After retirement, Rich enjoyed ten years building homes with Habitat for Humanity.  He was an active member of the Golden K. Kiwanis Club.  He continued to assist in Track & Cross Country meets up until the time of his death.  Rich was a great supporter of Brookings High School and South Dakota State University activities.

Survivors include his wife, Darla; daughter, Dianne (Tony) Becker of Brookings; sons, Daniel Strande of Moorcroft, WY, Jeffery Strande of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, James (Terri) Strande of House Springs, MO, and David (Dixie) Strande of Sioux Falls; fourteen grandchildren: Scott (Amber) Becker, Kayla Becker, Jamie (Kyle) Krebs, Dani (Travis) Scharen, Katie (Tyson) Holden, Richard Strande, Julia Strande, Thomas Strande, Michael Strande, Matthew Strande, Lee Strande, Laney Strande, Tyler Strande, and Isaac Strande; eight great-grandchildren; Darla’s daughter and son, Sheri (Russ) Blaha; and Raden (Karla) Smith and her grandchildren: Ian Blaha, Emily Blaha, Ryne Smith, Olivia Smith, and Kiley Smith; siblings, Darlene “Dolly” Oines of Volga, Camey (Larry) Chaddock of Everett, WA, Lyle Strande of Volga, and Russell and Lloyd Strande both of Brookings; brother-in-law, Al Roach of Brookings and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Ruth Ann; sister, Carol Roach; and one brother, John Strande.