Reno Strand

Bottineau

Reno Strand, age 78 of Bottineau, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023 at a Minot hospital. His funeral will be on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 11:00 pm at the Grace Lutheran Brethren Church in Bottineau. Visitation will be on Thursday starting at 4:00 pm with a prayer starting at 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Reno Strand was born in Platte, SD to Albert and Faye Strand on October 7, 1944. He played football as the starting quarterback behind his brother Leslie Dale at center. Reno excelled in everything he did and had a special affinity for basketball and baseball. He graduated from Platte High School and moved in with his brother Alvin in Bottineau, ND where he began attending the State School of Forestry. While attending college, he met Marilynn Nelson and quickly fell in love. Reno and Marilynn were married on December 26, 1965. They moved to Fargo, ND where Reno attended NDSU, pursuing a degree in engineering. With 7 credits remaining, he changed his major to mathematics education and soon accepted a teaching and coaching position at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN. Reno was hired to teach mathematics, physics, and coach basketball, football, and baseball. He was drafted to Vietnam, but following a request from Hillcrest, he was granted a reprieve as he was the only math teacher Hillcrest could find. While in Fergus Falls, Reno and Marilynn had two children (Correen and Chad) and many lovable students with whom they taught, prayed with and mentored. It was during his time in Fergus Falls that Reno discovered his love of taxes. He took a job as a tax preparer at a local firm to help “make ends meet!”

In 1976, the family moved back to Bottineau where Reno worked at the Hillbilly Board Store and eventually started doing taxes with Olive Benson. Child number three (Charles) was born in 1980. Reno purchased the accounting and tax business from Olive and continued to serve Bottineau County and the area farmers for over 40 years. Anyone who knew Reno realized he had a brilliant mind and amazing gift for numbers. He expanded his business to include real estate and appraisals. He also served as the BHS school board president, was an elder at Grace Lutheran Brethren Church, and treasurer of both the Bottineau County Water Resource District and the Lake Metigoshe Recreation Service District.

Reno faithfully attended his children’s events, even attending Chad’s basketball games at Hillcrest during tax season. He loved coaching his kids before and after games or meets and shooting baskets with his daughter and son in the off-season. Reno had a passion for photography and later in life found joy in wood working and wood turning. He loved his grandchildren dearly and loved encouraging them in both life and school activities. When it became increasingly difficult to travel, Reno became the most amazing prayer warrior and a true pillar for “Team Strand.”

Reno Strand was preceded in death by his father Gabriel Albert Strand and Mother Faye (Radabaugh) Strand, older brothers Alvin and Leslie Dale, and an infant brother.

Reno is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Marilynn, daughter Correen (Durand) Jones, sons Chad (Jennifer) Strand, and Charles (Angela) Strand. He has ten grandchildren, Piper, Kyler (Eden), Jaden (Hallie), Taylen, Jeremiah, Antonia, Jahmal, Brynn, Miraya, and Charlee, and one great grandson, Cypress. He has one surviving brother, Duane (Marilyn) and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Grace Bottineau Awana, Bottineau Food Pantry or Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net

Published by The Minot Daily News on August 23, 2023.