Cover photo for Eric Gilman Strand's Obituary
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1945 Eric 2023

Eric Gilman Strand

March 2, 1945 — March 23, 2023

Portland

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

   Eric was born on March 2nd, 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 6th, 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 26th, 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.

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