Eric Gilman Strand

   Eric Gilman Strand passed away at the age of 78 on Thursday, March 23^rd, 2023, on his farm near Portland, ND.

   Eric was born on March 2^nd, 1945, to Gilman A. Strand and Pauline (Thorwaldson) Strand in Glendale, CA. He moved to North Dakota when he was 5 months old. He graduated from Portland High School in 1963. He married Phyllis Thykeson on March 6^th, 1965. They moved to California for a few years before moving to the Twin Cities where they raised their family and were active in their church.  Eric became a skilled and successful gunsmith. He was a board member of the Minnesota Weapons Collectors Assoc. for over 40 years. In 1994, their son, Randy died of a heart condition followed by Phyllis in 2001 from cancer.

   Eric married Alice Valtinson Cloud on February 26^th, 2005. They retired and moved to Portland, ND in 2009 where he continued to work as a gunsmith part time. He was active in the May-Port community. He was a longtime board member on the May-Port Food Pantry, the Goose River Heritage Center Museum, and the Traill County Rural Water Association.

   Eric is survived by his wife: Alice Strand; daughters: Stephanie (Mark) Ortiz, Laura (John) Albachten; step-children: Lisa (Bernie) Berry, Kari Cloud, and Douglas Cloud; grandchildren: David (Sarah-Ashley) Ortiz, Elizabeth Ortiz, Matthew Ortiz, Erica (Evan) Burckhard, Sarah Albachten, Justin Albachten, Branden Albachten, Philip Ortiz, and Makayla Albachten; step-grandchildren: Ashley Cloud, Chase Cloud, and Jordan Berry; great-grandchildren: David Ortiz, Aniline Ortiz, Stephanie Ortiz, and Makenzie Ortiz. Eric’s surviving sisters are Andrea (Jim) Rud, Kris Holm, Margaret (Ken) Dahl and brother-in-law; Richard Fugleberg. Eric had 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

   He was preceded in death by his wife: Phyllis Strand; son: Randy Strand; parents: Gilman and Pauline Stand; sister: Vicki (Strand) Fugleberg.

   Eric gave the gift of donating his body to the University of North Dakota Medical School.

Visitation:  Will be from 2–4 PM Saturday, prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: Will be held at 4:00 PM Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND.

Burial: Will be in the Aurdal Cemetery in Portland, ND.