NORTH DAKOTA – Ophthalmologist Dr. Tom Strinden, the husband of North Dakota Lieutenant Governor Michelle Strinden, died Sunday at the couple’s lake home after a 17-month battle with brain cancer.
Strinden, who was 63, performed more than 15,000 major eye surgeries during his career and did a yearly medical mission trip to Honduras according to the Bagan Strinden Vision website.
“Tom valiantly fought cancer the same way he lived his life – with an unshakable faith in his savior Jesus Christ and an unwavering commitment to his family,” Armstrong said. “Tom was Michelle’s biggest fan, encouraging her to enter public service and supporting her journey to the Legislature and lieutenant governor’s office. Even after his cancer diagnosis and initial surgery, he returned to his work as a gifted eye surgeon who cared deeply about his patients and improving their quality of life,” North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong said in a statement.
The Strindens have four children.
A celebration of Strinden’s life will be held at Hope Lutheran Church – South Campus on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website. Burial will be at the family cemetery at Zion Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.
