Edward Martin Strand Jr.

On Sunday, September 20, 2020, while spending time at his slice of heaven on earth, a cabin on the Tahquamenon River, Edward M. Strand Jr., 71, of Marshall was suddenly and unexpectedly called to another Heaven. There must have been something going on up there that needed his help. He was that kind of guy.

Ed was born December 28, 1948 in Paterson, New Jersey to Edward Sr. and Clarissa (VanDenberg) Strand, both of whom preceded him in death. Ed lived in Syracuse, NY, with his sister Barbara (Dennis) Shouse, brother David (Laura) Strand, and youngest sister Nancy (Kevin) Tallio. While in Syracuse, Ed earned his Eagle Scout badge at 13 years old. He was that kind of guy.

After moving to Genette, PA, Ed graduated from Hempfield High School in 1966 before completing his education at Western Michigan University. On January 3, 1970, six months after a blind date, he married Vicki D. Swiftney of Grand Haven. That same year, Ed enlisted in the United States Army and never lost his respect for service members. He was that kind of guy.

Ed then worked for Eaton Corporation for 33 years, traveling the country with Vicki from Ohio to Nebraska and ultimately ending up in Marshall, MI with three sons, Tyson (Anna) Strand, Mark (Allison) Strand, and Gregg (Aimee) Strand. Ed retired in 2005, and it would be next to impossible to find someone from Eaton who doesn't say, "he was that kind of guy."

Ed was a leader of, well, everything. He was the youngest Eagle Scout in New York. He was a volunteer military man. He was the chair of his Presbyterian church committees, the Eaton union negotiator, the Royal Pelican boat association president, and he is and always will be the keeper of the eternal (camp) fire, regardless of the season.

But most of all, Ed was a family man. He recently celebrated 50 years of marriage with his wife, Vicki. Ed's pride and joy were his grandkids, Madeline, Adrienne, Isiah, Julian, Aubrey, Norah, Asa and Henry. He was and is their Papa. With his family, and just about everyone else, Ed was kind, loving, giving and steady.

He was that kind of guy.

Family and friends will gather from 5-7pm on Friday, September 25, 2020 at Kempf Family Funeral Home, 723 US Hwy 27, Marshall MI., 49068. Funeral services will take place at 11am on Saturday September 26, 2020 at the same location with Pastor Penny Pitts officiating. Internment will follow at Hotchkiss Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Marshall, 200 West Mansion Street Marshall, MI. 49068 ( https://www.fpcmarshall.org/giving). Memorial contributions can also be mailed to Kempf Funeral Home PO Box 519, Marshall, MI. 49068. Leave a personal message for the family and sign the online guestbook at https://www.kempffuneralhome.com