1936
Kathryn
2014
Kathryn Watnaas
July 3, 1936 — November 24, 2014
Kathryn Watnaas, 78 of rural Vining, Minnesota died peacefully Monday, November 24, 2014 at the Knute Nelson Care Center in Alexandria, surrounded by her family.
Kathryn Avon Watnaas was born on July 3, 1936, in Battle Lake, Minnesota the daughter of Leonard Martin and Elois Helen (Hartness) Gaarsland. She was baptized at Battle Lake and confirmed at Folden Lutheran Church. Kathy attended grade school and high school in Battle Lake.
On November 7, 1953 Kathy married Gene G. Watnaas at the United Lutheran Church in Henning, Minnesota. The couple farmed near Vining until Gene entered the U.S. Army. They returned to Vining, then Pease, Minnesota before moving to Starbuck where they resided for seventeen years. In 1982, they returned to the Watnaas home farm. Kathy enjoyed crafts, playing her keyboard, crocheting baptismal gowns and especially enjoyed entertaining her family. She is a member of the Folden Lutheran Church and a past member of the ELCW and the Ruth Circle. On November 6, 2010, after suffering a stroke, and because of health reasons, Kathy entered the Knute Nelson Care Center.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Gene; seven children, Linda (Dennis) O'Neill of Starbuck, Deb (Mark) Rau of Alexandria, Greg Watnaas of the Twin Cities, Todd (Cheryl) Watnaas of Prinsburg, Tracey Lindberg of Fergus Falls, Kris (Ron) Hansen of Cyrus, Aric Watnaas of Osakis; twelve grandchildren, Leah (Jeremy) Newton, Michael (Vicki) Halvorson, Matthew and Brittany Rau, Amanda and Tara Watnaas, Dustin and Kyle Hentges, Riley (Karine Norberg Alonzo) Lindberg and Kaitlyn (Kaiser) Starkey, Jordan Judd and Carter Watnaas; seven great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Zander Newton, Taylor and Kaylee Hentges, Bentley Skindelien, Aiden and Grant Lieser, and by two great-granddaughters on the way; two brothers, Dennis (Joy) Gaarsland and Al Gaarsland both of Battle Lake; half-sister, Carolyn Wickner; brother-in-law, Lloyd Schwarz; aunt, Lucille Samson of Fergus Falls; and by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Gaarsland; mother and step-father, Elois and Gordon Ellwanger; brother, Ray Gaarsland; and two sisters, Terry Schwarz and Audrey Hanson.
The love Kathy felt for Gene, her family and God were like no other. They were the most important things in her life. She showed through strength, patience and perseverance, how to live a good life. She loved to laugh and she laughed often. Her family wants everyone to know: The life lessons she taught us, she taught us well and we will never forget. Thinking of her brings great happiness to our hearts; the family wishes that to be her legacy to all of us and you...be happy, smile and love. Rest in great peace & happiness Kathy, you will never be forgotten.
Funeral Service: 10 am Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Folden Lutheran Church, rural Vining
Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7 pm with a Prayer Service at 7 pm at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Clergy: Rev. Rud Wasson
Interment: Folden Lutheran Church Cemetery
Kathryn Avon Watnaas was born on July 3, 1936, in Battle Lake, Minnesota the daughter of Leonard Martin and Elois Helen (Hartness) Gaarsland. She was baptized at Battle Lake and confirmed at Folden Lutheran Church. Kathy attended grade school and high school in Battle Lake.
On November 7, 1953 Kathy married Gene G. Watnaas at the United Lutheran Church in Henning, Minnesota. The couple farmed near Vining until Gene entered the U.S. Army. They returned to Vining, then Pease, Minnesota before moving to Starbuck where they resided for seventeen years. In 1982, they returned to the Watnaas home farm. Kathy enjoyed crafts, playing her keyboard, crocheting baptismal gowns and especially enjoyed entertaining her family. She is a member of the Folden Lutheran Church and a past member of the ELCW and the Ruth Circle. On November 6, 2010, after suffering a stroke, and because of health reasons, Kathy entered the Knute Nelson Care Center.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 61 years, Gene; seven children, Linda (Dennis) O'Neill of Starbuck, Deb (Mark) Rau of Alexandria, Greg Watnaas of the Twin Cities, Todd (Cheryl) Watnaas of Prinsburg, Tracey Lindberg of Fergus Falls, Kris (Ron) Hansen of Cyrus, Aric Watnaas of Osakis; twelve grandchildren, Leah (Jeremy) Newton, Michael (Vicki) Halvorson, Matthew and Brittany Rau, Amanda and Tara Watnaas, Dustin and Kyle Hentges, Riley (Karine Norberg Alonzo) Lindberg and Kaitlyn (Kaiser) Starkey, Jordan Judd and Carter Watnaas; seven great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Zander Newton, Taylor and Kaylee Hentges, Bentley Skindelien, Aiden and Grant Lieser, and by two great-granddaughters on the way; two brothers, Dennis (Joy) Gaarsland and Al Gaarsland both of Battle Lake; half-sister, Carolyn Wickner; brother-in-law, Lloyd Schwarz; aunt, Lucille Samson of Fergus Falls; and by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Gaarsland; mother and step-father, Elois and Gordon Ellwanger; brother, Ray Gaarsland; and two sisters, Terry Schwarz and Audrey Hanson.
The love Kathy felt for Gene, her family and God were like no other. They were the most important things in her life. She showed through strength, patience and perseverance, how to live a good life. She loved to laugh and she laughed often. Her family wants everyone to know: The life lessons she taught us, she taught us well and we will never forget. Thinking of her brings great happiness to our hearts; the family wishes that to be her legacy to all of us and you...be happy, smile and love. Rest in great peace & happiness Kathy, you will never be forgotten.
Funeral Service: 10 am Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Folden Lutheran Church, rural Vining
Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7 pm with a Prayer Service at 7 pm at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Clergy: Rev. Rud Wasson
Interment: Folden Lutheran Church Cemetery
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