Earl Stanford Strinden

Earl's service can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/X7q-LOp2TC0

Earl's tribute video can be viewed here. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/KRC27G4FQSMWPKTN

A lifetime dedicated to leaving the woodpile higher for others. Earl’s intelligence, leadership, political savvy, great wit and hard work ethic created a powerful combination that enabled him to achieve great success both in the private sector and in public service. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and was quick to give credit to others. Most importantly he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend.

Earl was born in Litchville, ND on November 28, 1931 to Teddie Isaac and Martha Olivia Eidsvig Strinden and died October 18, 2022 at the age of 90. His parents instilled in him the values of faith, family and community service. According to Litchville folklore, Earl was quite a mischief maker during his growing up years and he had many great stories of his Litchville days. Earl was quite proud of his Marine Corp service where he honorably served. Earl received his B.A. from Concordia College and M.A. from UND where he was later honored with those colleges distinguished service awards. He was employed as a high school teacher in Thief River Falls and then moved to Grand Forks to manage the Strinden Hardware store. Grand Forks is where he raised his family and lived most of his life. He spent most of his career as Executive Director of UND Alumni Center and was founder and CEO of the UND Foundation. He was one of UND’s greatest ambassadors and the friendships he developed helped generate some of the University’s biggest gifts. He served on many non-profit and for-profit boards. Until his death, he served as a Board member of the Ralph Englestad Arena and he loved to visit about the finest hockey facility in the country. Earl was also one of the founders of the former Community National Bank and was a long time member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks.

Earl was well-known for his 26 years of public service in North Dakota. First as city council for Grand Forks and then 22 years as a ND House Representative with much of that time as House Majority Leader. President Reagan in a 1988 speech stated about Earl “he’s recognized as one of the strongest and most respected legislative leaders in the state’s history”.

Earl was blessed to have the “love of his life” his wife Janice (Semmens) at his side for 68 years. She was a tremendous partner and asset for him both in politics and in business. Earl will be fondly remembered by his children and grandchildren for his humor, stories, pancake and Belgian waffle breakfasts and the many mottos that he used to instill life values such as “moderation is the key”; “do what is right and responsible” and “if you want to soar with the eagles you cannot hoot with the owls”. Earl enjoyed best the time spent at Lake Lida with his family and friends; traveling with his wife Jan; and cheering on his favorite UND Fighting Sioux teams.

Earl will be greatly missed by his 5 children, Ronda (Dave) Zupi, Jon (Sandi) Strinden, Karen (Tony) Grindberg, Tom (Michelle) Strinden and Beth (Todd) Kadoun; 14 grandchildren, Andrew (Rachel) Strinden, Beth Ann (Ward) Demontigny, Daniel (Elizabeth) Strinden, Thomas (Shana) Beadle, Michael (BreAnna) Zupi, Emily (Nathan) Kramm, Ashlyn (Jeremy) Host, Chase (Katie) Grindberg, Jacob Strinden, Isaac Kadoun, Katie Kadoun, Joe Strinden, Ben Strinden, Sarah Strinden; nine great-grandchildren; brother, David (Ella) Strinden; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Earl was preceded in death by his wife Janice; parents, Martha and TI; siblings, Ione, Marcelle, Keith, Alfred (Cleone), Theron (Mavis) and Dean (Cathleen) Strinden.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm, Monday, October 24, 2022 with Visitation starting at 12:30 pm at Atonement Lutheran Church 4601 S. University Drive, Fargo ND 58104.

Memorials are suggested to the Jan and Earl Strinden Endowment at UND; The Village Family Service Center or charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND