Magnar Strand Autobiography

Consists of Magnar Strand’s autobiography written and published in 1990. The booklet was created as a part of the Write Your Life course at Seattle Community College and contains information on Magnar’s birth and early years, emigrations from Norway to Canada, back to Norway, and finally to the U.S., occupations, family life, personality, and activities.

Donated by the Strand family.

Biographical Note

Magnar Strand was born on July 9, 1910, to Anne and Lars Strand. Anne was the third child in her family and was born in 1882 to Synnove and Anders Ulvund. Magnar was the fifth of eleven children born to Anne and Lars. When he was sixteen, Magnar left his grandparents farm to work, and at the age of nineteen he emigrated from Norway to Canada.

Magnar traveled all around Canada, and worked in various occupations, often living as a hobo. In 1934, he returned to Norway and worked as an apprentice to a tailor. After four years of working, World War II began and Norway was invaded by the Nazis in 1940. This began five years of German occupation in Norway, during which Magnar worked for the underground forces.

When the war ended, Magnar worked from 1945 to 1947 as a sailor for the Norwegian Merchant Marines. During this time, he traveled all over the world, and had the opportunity to visit many countries. He became a legal immigrant to the U. S. in September of 1948. Here, he began work in the fishing trade and met a woman named Astrid Kasen.

Magnar and Astrid were married in July of 1949, and they had a daughter, Karen, in 1950, and a son, David, in 1952. During this time, Magnar continued fishing, and worked at Fishers Flouring Mills during the winters. He became a legal American citizen in July of 1951, and following this, he took a reunion trip to Canada in 1951, and several trips to Norway beginning in 1959.

Magnar was first diagnosed with Angina in1961, and was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1989. Despite his health problems, he enjoyed many activities after retirement from Fishers, including volunteering, swimming, traveling, church, visiting friends, and spending time with his family. Magnar Strand died on June 22, 1990, of cancer and is remembered for his adventurous and cheerful personality.