Byron H. Strandell

RAPID CITY - Byron H. Strandell, 83 died last Saturday of complications from diabetes. His wife is Mary Strandell and they are members of the Cathedral parish in Rapid City. Byron was a life-long resident of South Dakota. He was born near Creighton, attended Wall High School and graduated from Rapid City High School in 1938. His Parents were Alfred and Bonnie (Graham) Strandell of Wall. After a tour in the United States Marine Corps which included service in the Pacific Theatre during World War II he returned to Rapid City to attend school. In 1946 he married Mary A. Bielmaier, the daughter of Esther and William from Wall. They lived in Rapid City and Byron attended the SD School of Mines where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948. After graduation, Byron and Mary moved to Watertown where Byron worked for Scott Engineering Company. In 1958 he became a founding partner of Fodness and Associates. This evolved into his sole business as a consulting engineer. During his 45 years in the engineering profession he was actively involved in the design and deployment of electrical distribution systems for many rural Electric Coops in South Dakota. He later worked for several independent telephone companies and cooperatives and was instrumental in the modernization of telephone service to much of rural SD. Golden West Telecommunications Coop., Inc was one of the major clients of Strandell Engineering during the 1960's,1970's and 1980's. Mary and Byron lived in Watertown for 30 years and their 10 children were raised there. They were active members of the Immaculate Conception parish. Mary and nine of their children worked for Byron's firm over the years. The family moved back to Rapid City in 1979 so they could be closer to Byron's work in Western South Dakota. Byron was active in his church, as a member of the choir and Cursillo. He was also a member of the South Dakota Professional Engineering Society and was a licensed professional engineer in several States. Byron was especially proud that each of his ten children graduated from college and have been successful in their professional endeavors. After retiring in 1993, he traveled with wife Mary on many visits to his children and grandchildren. Byron is survived by his wife, Mary, their children: George (Valois) of Wall; John (Bobbi) of Excelsior, MN; Barbara of St. Paul, MN; Bill (Valerie) of Springfield,VA; Carol (John Banasiak) of Vermillion; Mary Ann (Michael Rees) of North Bergen, NJ; Michael (Julie) of Watertown; Bob (Gretchen) of Plymouth, MN; Tom (Danette) of St. Joseph, MO; Joe (Erika) of Denver, CO. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and his two brothers, Don of Spearfish and Joe of Farmington Hills, MI. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, January 7 at the Cathedral in Rapid City at 10:00 am. Visitation is 3 - 6 pm at the Kirk Funeral Home on Tuesday followed by an evening vigil service at 7:00 pm at the Cathedral. Burial will be at 3pm on Wednesday at the Wall Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a charitable memorial fund in Byron's name.
This obituary was originally published in the Rapid City Journal.