Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271680
Title: Kay E. Garaas
Date: 6/20/1956-11/25/2024
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 6/20/1956
Summary: Kay E. Garaas, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024 in Fargo, ND, leaving behind a legacy of love and laughter. A celebration of Kay’s life was held on May 23, 2025, at St. Olaf’s Church in Grenora, ND. She was laid to rest at the Grenora Cemetery. Kay Elizabeth Garaas was born on June 20, 1956, in Williston, ND, and spent both her childhood and her final chapter in the town where it all began—Grenora, ND. Her story reads like something out of a timeless love story. Kay fell for the boy who lived just down the block—Greg Garaas. Their bond grew into a love that spanned more than four decades. The two were married in 1979 and built a life filled with joy, adventure, and three amazing daughters. Life led their family to different cities over the years, but no matter where they landed, Kay had a way of making every place feel like home. Whether at her job or helping with her daughter’s school events, swim meets, dance recitals, or chaperoning marching band trips, Kay shared her talents—including baking and crafting—with kindness and a deep sense of pride in her community and children. Kay found true happiness in the simple pleasures of life. She loved being outdoors—digging in her garden, planting flowers, riding horses, or just savoring her morning coffee while listening to the birds sing. But above all, her greatest joy came from being “Grandma Kay.” She adored her five grandchildren and embraced the role with her whole heart. She was the grandma who said yes to ice cream before dinner, who leapt into lakes and pools with laughter, and who always had time for a snuggle and “just one more” bedtime story. Her love for her grandkids knew no bounds, and they’ll carry her spirit with them always. Kay’s memory lives on in the hearts of her devoted husband, of 45 years, Greg Garaas; three daughters, Sara (Tristan) Van de Streek, Courtney (Scott) Johnson, Erin (Jared) Grefsrud; cherished grandchildren, Henry, Lillian, Benelli, Harrison, Effie. She is also deeply missed by her siblings, Karen Iverson, Keith (Denise) Iverson, friends and extended family whose lives she touched with grace and love. She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, Roger and Mabel Iverson; in-laws, Olaf and Agnes Garaas; nephew, Scott Hummel; sister-in-law, Phyllis Hummel; uncle, Marvin Hoff, who no doubt greeted her with open arms.
Red ID: FND_I_79176 Image ID: 529170 Image Notes: FND001 271680

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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