Laila Strand

laila strand
On Tuesday, September 3, 2019, Laila Marketta Strand, of Fargo, passed away at age of 63. Laila was born in Michigan, ND to Onni and Vieno (Niskanen) Maatta on October 17, 1955. She grew up in Brocket, ND and attended school in Lakota, ND. She met her best friend, Helen Kennedy while attending NDSU. From the sounds of it, they had many great times together some of which are not fit for publication. In 1977, she married Ron Strand in Brocket, ND. In 1980, Brendan was born, followed by Jordan in 1983, and Meghan in 1986. Laila has always had a passion for creative endeavors and enjoyed spending her free time planning projects and crafts. Her creativity showed itself in how she made a beautiful home and in the way that she tried to make magical moments in the raising of her children and this is pre-Pinterest, mind you. She threw a birthday party where her boys got to decorate t-shirts with their friends. There were the times she put sleeping bags on the deck and cuddled with her children under the stars. Many nights, a plain bowl of ice cream would contain a surprise candy bar. She sewed costumes for Halloween and decorated her house for Christmas like she was hoping for a holiday photo spread in Home and Gardens Magazine. Laila loved music and it was the backing track for much of her life. She is remembered for playing Aerosmith, Queen, Billy Joel, The Beatles, and Elton John while hanging out with friends on Friday nights, cleaning house, or refinishing furniture. On Thursday nights, when Ron was playing darts, she would put records on and fold clothes while her children danced and sang along to the music. While somewhat out-shown by her husband’s sense of humor, she was known for a keen sense of humor that was equal parts biting wit and dry as vermouth. If you were cut to the bone by her wit, you were loved. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ron. She is survived by her children, Brendan Strand, Jordan Strand, and Meghan Strand (Matthew Williams), her grandpuppies and grandkitties, her sisters Marja Nygaard and Paula (Jim) Lindvall, and her best friend, Helen Kennedy. Her visitation will be held at Boulger Funeral Home 123 10th St S, Fargo, ND 58103 on Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 3pm to 5pm where we can share in her memory and celebrate her life.

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  1. To Laila’s children,
    I am so sorry for your loss. I just talked to your Mom after school started two weeks ago.
    I worked with your Mom at Jefferson for many years.
    Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    Kathy Larson

  2. So sorry for your loss. I remember seeing Laila when I went to play poker at your house and when I would meet my mentee at Jefferson.

  3. Please accept my sympathy. I enjoyed working with Laila at First National Bank in Devils Lake. She was a good, intelligent, and witty person.

  4. Laila’s Family,

    So sorry to hear of Laila’s passing. We were high school classmates in Lakota and had many good times together. Laila & I were cheerleaders together and I believe pom-pom girls! Though we haven’t kept in contact through the years, she has entered my thoughts many different times. I used to run into her Mom every once in awhile, and we would always chat for a bit. I considered her a friend of mine and I am so sorry she is gone.
    Keep her memories close. It sounds like she was an amazing Mom.
    God’s Peace to you all.
    Deb & Rick-Lakota

  5. I apologize for not making your mom’s memorial service; made commitments to the Bison game to Nancy that I am obligated to keep. I’ve known your family since Ron and Laila came to Fargo, and any meeting was always a pleasure (when I gave up darts and just visited the Dnarts Tournament, I always managed to have a good chat with your mom). I lost my parents when I was about Brendan’s age, and I think I understand the pain that goes with it, but I hope you all understand that life must go on.

  6. I am so sorry for the loss of your mom, Meghan, Jordan, and Brendan. This awesome tribute shows that you were raised with maximum love. -Morgan

  7. 1973-1974 will forever remain in my memory. It was the year that I wreaked havoc with my co-conspirators, Laila and her roommate, Helen. To say it was a blast would be a tremendous understatement. The three of us crammed a whole lot of living into a brief moment in time. Know that the punctuation mark on everything we did was pure, unadulterated laughter. The three of us were so blessed to know and have each other at NDSU. Today I raise a glass to Laila and a time that can never be repeated, and, most certainly, never forgotten.

    My sympathies to Brendan, Jordan, and Meghan,

    – Anne Demers Kummer
    Medford, Oregon


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