DeLayne Eugene Rand, age 82, of Ettrick, died on Saturday, December 24, 2016 in the Gundersen Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall.

DeLayne was born on January 30, 1934 to Floyd and Beulah (Finch) Rand at home in rural Melrose, WI. He married Rose M. Witte on May 21, 1955 in the South Beaver Creek Lutheran Church in rural Ettrick.

DeLayne served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1974 retiring with the rank of Major. As a member of the 63rd Troop Carrier Wing, he earned his Master Navigator Wings with cargo flights to 55 countries including trips over both the North and South Pole. DeLayne also served a tour in Viet Nam as an Air Traffic Controller.

From 1974 to 2000, DeLayne owned and operated the Rand Insurance Agency in Ettrick. He also served as a director for the Ettrick Mutual Insurance Company for 36 years and as the Secretary/Manager of Ettrick Mutual for 21 years.

During his time in Ettrick, DeLayne loved photography. Over the years, he was the photographer for over 200 weddings. He also enjoyed taking High School Senior pictures. Over all of his accomplishments, his family was his pride and joy.

DeLayne is survived by his wife, Rose; four children, Tim (Sharon) Rand, Tracey (Russ Schliefer) Grinde, Bradley Rand and Rachel (Jeff) Hanson; twelve grandchildren, Leigh Rand, Jesseca Ferrigno, Jacob (Daisha) Rand, Jennifer (Brian) Hendricks, Heather (Ryan) Glennie, Megan Grinde, Josephine (Kim) Larsen, Lars Grinde, Elizabeth Grinde, Amber (Corrie Bartle) Leer, Alex Hanson and Michael Hanson; seven great-grandchildren, Norah and Farah Ferrigno, Camryn and Teagan Rand, Devin Henricks, Emma Rose and Julian Glennie; a sister, Janet Babcock; two sisters-in-law, Norma Anderson and Janet Fisher.

In addition to his parents, DeLayne was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Myrtle Witte; three brothers, Arnold, Dennis and Jack Rand; a sister, Marion Howard; two brothers-in-law, Thomas Howard and Mert Babcock; a sister-in-law, Mary Jane Rand; a nephew, Jerry Babcock and a niece, Colleen Wagner.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Living Hope Lutheran Church in Ettrick with Pastor Kary Jonas officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by the Runnestrand-Peterson American Legion Post #354 will be in the South Beaver Creek Lutheran Cemetery in rural Ettrick.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. in the Living Hope Lutheran Church in Ettrick and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

The Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.