Earl J. Rand, 86, of Owatonna, formerly of Claremont died Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Homestead Hospice House. He was born March 19, 1922 in Claremont, MN the son of John and Vida (Gorham) Rand. Earl graduated from Claremont High School in 1940 as Salutatorian. He also attended Winona State Teachers College until he enlisted in the Army in 1942. He was inducted at Fort Dodge, IA and sent to basic training at Camp Barkley, TX. He also attended the surgical Technical Training for the Army Medical Corp. in Louisiana. He was assigned to the 84th Station Hospital, which was sent to Charters Towers, Australia for 14 months, then to New Guinea for 14 months, then to the Philippines until he was discharged from Camp McCoy on January 1, 1946. On July 15, 1946 Earl married Ernestine Francis Jante at the Grace Lutheran Church in Dodge Center, MN. He was employed at the Rand Hardware Store in Claremont for a number of years and then was employed at the Owatonna Canning Company for 33 years until he suffered a stroke at the age of 63. Earl is a lifetime member of both the American Legion of Claremont and the VFW in the state of Missouri, as well as the GOP party. He is also a 61- year member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Claremont where he taught Sunday school for a number of years. Earl is survived by his wife Ernestine; four children, Rebecca Rand, Wayzata, MN; Stormy (Gary) Trom, Blooming Prairie, MN; Lajean (Steve) Behne, Waterville, MN; and Earl Harvey Rand, Rochester, MN. 13 Grandchildren and 27Great-Grandchildren; two sisters, Vida Huntley of Hancock, MN; and Delphine Fate of Claremont, MN; and one brother, Herbert (Betty) Rand of Claremont, MN; as well as many nieces and nephews. A son, Jon Louis Rand, and one brother John Lloyd Rand preceded him in death. Funeral service will be Saturday May 31, 2008 at 3 PM at Peace Lutheran Church in Claremont, with the Reverend Martin Krause officiating. Visitation will be Friday May 30, 2008 from 5-7 PM at Michaelson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with full military honors will be in the Claremont Street Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Peace Lutheran Church. Michaelson Funeral Homes, Inc. 1930 Austin Road, P.O. Box 482, Owatonna, MN 55060 (507) 451-7943 Visitation: 05/30/2008 17:00 05/30/2008 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church. 05/31/2008 15:00