Paul was born on August 22, 1960, in Valentine, NE, to Michael B. "Mick", and Sybil (Ingvalson) Strain. He spent his earliest days in White River, after which the family moved to Vermillion for a handful of years, then ventured to Pierre where many lifelong relationships were established among neighborhood friends and classmates at Lincoln Elementary School. In December 1970, the family moved to Vancouver, WA for four years, returning back to White River in November 1974. The return to White River enabled him to reconnect with all his cousins of the Strain family and memories were made at the Strain Ranch, Strain Seed house, and Thoroughbred Lodge. Paul was an athlete and played on the White River football team during its undefeated 1977 and 1978 seasons. He graduated from high school in 1978 and went on to attend Black Hills State College for a brief period of time. Paul followed his college experience with employment at the Homestake Mine in Lead, where he worked for several years supporting his wife, Pamela (Vik) and son, Elliott.
Always a free spirit, Paul was an adventurous soul, though sometimes his endeavors and predilection for activities slightly off the path more commonly traveled, yielded the occasional raising of eyebrows by his parents and grandparents. But he was entertaining, humorous, and had a flare for witticisms and would do anything to help other people - a true friend. Over time, Paul served in a myriad of different occupations throughout the country, ranging from Belle Fourche to Virginia Beach to Azle, TX, with occasional undersea action in Central America. He eventually returned back to South Dakota in 2014 and began working for Michael Ballard at the Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis and later at the Deadwood Distillery in Deadwood, where he entertained thousands of people with S'loonshine tastings and stories of his adventures around the world over the years. He had a unique knack and ability to talk to anybody at any level.
Paul also loved boating and camping. He cruised the lakes and bays in Texas, Virginia Beach, and South Dakota, and spent much of his time at Sheridan Lake and other locales in the Black Hills, enjoying the outdoors. He was also an avid motorcycle enthusiast and took great pride in his Victory motorcycle.
Paul Louis Strain died on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, in Boulder Canyon south of Sturgis. He was involved in a motorcycle accident which took his life.
Paul is survived by his son, Elliott (Karli); and his sibilings, Douglas (Joyce) Strain, Michael (Robin) Strain, Patricia (Wade) Driver, Peggy (Cliff) Starkjohann, and Marc (Eldon) Marshall. He was beloved by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Michael B. "Mick" Strain; mother, Sybil Barnes; and a sister, Catherine Grace.
Memorial services will be 6:00 p.m.at the Deadwood distillery in Deadwood on September 17, and at the Catholic Hall in White River at 3 o'clock on September 19.

Click on link to view service folder