Opal Strand, age 77, of Mitchell, died October 18, 2005 at the Avera Brady Health and Rehab. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 22, at 2:00 PM at First Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM Friday at the Will Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Burial will be in the Servicemens Cemetery at Mitchell. Opal was born March 5, 1928 at Letcher to Elmer and Ella (Vearrier) Thompson. She attended country school in the Letcher area and was employed at area cafes. She married Lawrence Strand on August 29, 1948 at Mitchell and the couple made their home on a farm southwest of Mitchell for 20 years. She worked part-time at the Holiday Inn. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. She is survived by her husband, Lawrence, one son, Calvin Strand and wife, Sue, all of Mitchell; sisters, Violet Kropp and husband, Gene, Commerce City, Colorado, and Delores McDonald and husband, William, Sioux Falls; brothers, Clyde Thompson and wife, Janet, Rapid City and Clair Thompson and wife, Nyla, Salem; five grandchildren: Michelle Hinker, Mitchell, Sara and husband, Chad Steinhkuehler, Hot Springs, SD, Cali and husband, Tony Miller, Hastings, Minnesota, Cody Larson, and wife, Jill, Huron, and Ryan Strand, Sioux Falls; three great grandchildren, Justice, Jayci and Noah. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three sisters. A memorial fund has been established.