Kenneth John Strand, Jr.

Kenneth John Strand, Junior was born August 12, 1988 in Grand Forks, ND, the son of Kenneth John, Senior (Angie) Strand and Renae Ann (Slininger-Strand) Cooley. Kenneth Jr. lived in Rochester, MN. until December 26, 2016 when he passed away peacefully in his sleep at home. Ken Jr. grew up in the East Grand Forks area until 1990 when he moved to Thief River Falls, MN. Ken Jr. attended Challenger Elementary School until the fifth grade. Ken Jr. went on to Franklin Middle School for his middle school years, being active in sports such as tennis, hockey, basketball, and loved hanging out with his friends. Ken Jr. also attended Lincoln High School where he was active in football. During these years he relocated to Rochester, MN. with his family so they could receive medical care for his little brother Sebastian. Ken Jr. graduated from Century High School in Rochester, MN. In 2008, Ken Jr. suffered a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle accident resulting in lifetime debilitating affects. Although he was able to attend college at Rochester Community Technical College in the computer science program in which he was due to graduate in 2017. Ken Jr. worked as an Information Technology Specialist at Rochester Community Technical College and later at I.B.M. in Rochester, MN. Ken Jr. was also a machine style production team member at Halcon making craftsmanship workplace furniture while attending college. Ken Jr. had a son, Bentley Tommy of Lanesboro, MN. Ken Jr. was very active in Bentleys life and often ran around the house calling out proudly, my son, my son. Ken Jr. and his son Bentley were often found in the early mornings in the kitchen eating cereal. One of their favorite times of the day was spent chatting about what they were going to do for the day. Ken Jr. and Bentley loved playing air hockey, video games, basketball, and drawing or painting. Often times they were found rebuilding cars, electronic, and toys. When not busy doing these things they were visiting local parks and zoos. Ken Jr. left behind a fianc, Alexandra Ellingson and their unborn child, a boy Ken John Strand III, to be born in April 2017. Alex provided a sense of completeness to his life making him feel as he had found his soulmate. Ken Jr. had a lot of family and friends. He always made them laugh with his beautiful handsome smile. He always had a hug and something reassuring to say, he was everyones best friend. Ken Jr. will truly be missed by everyone whom he had a chance to touch their heart. A local visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, December 30, 2016 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN. Following this, we will be taking him home to a visitation gathering at Johnson-Green Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN. from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2017. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at Saint Bernards Catholic Church, Thief River Falls, MN. with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Saint Bernards Cemetery. To share a special memory please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com