Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, John P. Strand, 80, Sturgis, passed away at Rapid City Regional Hospital of natural causes.

John was born June 5, 1928, in Bison, SD, to Gudmund and Carrie (Bassett) Strand. John joined the army in 1951 and served his county honorably for two years. During his military service, John served at and witnessed many nuclear explosions at Camp Desert Rock in Nevada.

In 1953, John purchased 720 acres of farm land south of Prairie City, SD. He was successful at farming because of his love for the land, the wheat fields, and machinery of all kinds.

On May 2, 1953, John married Maxine Edwards of Bison, SD. To this union, three children were born; Roger, Ronnie, and Cathy.

In 1962, John took over the ranch after his father-in-law, Raymond Edwards passed away. In 1978, John retired from ranching and they moved to Sturgis. He continued to farm for several years until 1992.

John will be missed by his wife, Maxine Strand, Sturgis; his sons, Roger (Diane) Strand, Billings, MT, and Ron (Rita) Strand, Rapid City, SD; and his daughter, Cathy (Lonnie) Anderson, Gillette, WY. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, John (Erika), Melisa (Anthony) Bryan, Andy, Randy, Angie, Rollie, Heather (Josh), Jason, and his six great-grandchildren, Lauren, Logan, Landon, Sammy, Paige, and Michael, who all filled his later life with joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bob and Carl; and one sister, Beth.

Per John's request, private services for the family will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established for the Sturgis Animal Shelter.