Jerry Leon Strand was born October 26, 1939 in Clay County, SD to parents Orville and Grace (Dahlin) Strand. He died August 9, 2011 at his home in Beresford, SD. Jerry graduated from Wakonda High School in 1957 and attended the University of South Dakota. He married Kay Anderson on June 5, 1960 in Hurley, SD. They celebrated their 50th anniversary on June 5, 2010 at their granddaughter Kayla's wedding. Jerry retired from Simplot after 20+ years of service due to ill health. Jerry served on the Beresford Fire Department for 44 years and also served as the City Fire Marshall. He was a director of the Southeast Fire District for over 20 years and was a member of the International Association of Arson Investigation, South Dakota Chapter. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-laws and one nephew. His is survived by his wife Kay of Beresford; daughter Junelle (John) Hansen, Beresford and son Kendall (Robin) Strand, Sioux City, IA; five grandchildren, Austin (Tracia) Hansen, Kayla (Eric) Feucht, and Cooper, Gabrielle and Jake Strand; three sisters, Mary (Jerold) Voegeli, Glennetta (Ron) Hustrulid and LuAnn (Ron) Swanson; three brothers, Robert (Shirley) Strand, Glenn Strand and Keith Strand; special friends Brent, Ashley, Emily and Hayden Palmer; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 10:00AM, Friday, August 12 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Beresford with burial to follow at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Beresford. Visitation with family present will be Thursday from 6PM to 8PM with a prayer service at 7PM at the church.