Dale Arthur Strand, age 92 of Mitchell, SD died Thursday, February 16, 2023 at his home under hospice care. Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Friday, February 24, 2023 at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Thursday, February 23, 2023 at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Dale Arthur Strand was born January 20, 1931, in Mitchell, SD to Thomas and Nina Strand. He was raised on the Strand family homestead farm. Dale and his dad milked cows, raised pigs, chickens, and farmed as many as 640 acres. Dale loved nature and the outdoors. He spent countless hours tinkering and repairing things. When Dale wasn't farming, he could be found dragging Mitchell Main Street in his 1952 Chevy or his motorcycle.

Dale joined the Army in 1951 where he served two years as a Commander's driver in Germany during the Korean War. After he left the service, he returned home to help his dad work on the family farm where he developed his mechanical skills. Dale could fix or repair anything. Dale raised the corn, milo and small grain used to decorate the Corn Palace.

In 1953 Dale met the love of his life, Dorothy Thompson. They dated for a year and a half then married on October 3, 1955. Dale and Dorothy lived in a tiny apartment in Mitchell while they waited for his parents to move to town. January 1, 1956, Dale and Dorothy moved to the family farm. This is when the Strand family memories began. The couple began their family in 1956 and were blessed with 5 children, including one set of twins. Dale was a great husband to Dorothy for 67 years. His kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were the apple of his eye. Many life lessons were learned, like don't touch the electric fence, don't put a leash on your pet chicken and leave it out overnight, and don't dig in the peanut butter jar. Dale taught his children respect, hard work, ethics, being responsible for your actions and to love one another.

His family and friends will treasure all their great memories of family picnics, camping trips, bonfires, sledding parties out on the hill and lawn mower rides in the wagon. The Strand family farm was the entertainment place to be. A good meal could always be had at Dale and Dorothy's. They hosted many family reunions and neighborhood gatherings, where a good game of Pinochle could be found. Dale, Dorothy, and friends could be found twisting the night away at the Pineview Hall or American Legion. Dale loved bowling, roller skating, playing Bingo, fishing and hunting. Dale always looked forward to his annual deer hunting trips with son, Curt, son in-laws, and grandkids.

Dale and Dorothy farmed from 1955 until 2011 when they moved to Meadowlawn Plaza in town and sold the farm to their son, Curt, to carry on the Strand family legacy. Dale and Dorothy took many bus trips, enjoyed fishing and the many annual Strand-Osen themed camping trips; like the country roundup, Hawaiian, Chinese, pajama party, bonfires, oodles of food, laughs, fun memories and special secrets shared by all.

Dale loved to tinker and repair clocks along with creating many wood projects that he loved to share with his family and friends So every time we see a shining star, let that remind us of the twinkle in Dale's eyes.

Dale is survived by his wife; Dorothy, children; Vickie Strand, Atlantic, IA, Karen (John) Allpress, Parker, AZ, Connie (Jeff) Prickett, Valley Springs, SD, Curtis Strand, Mitchell, SD, Jan (Chad) Hansen, Watertown, SD, 9 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, 2 sisters, 2 brothers, a grandson, a granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be directed to the DAV PO box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250, in Dale's name.