Nancy Karlstad

Nancy Lee Karlstad, 63, died of medical complications Oct. 23, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Nancy was born in Esterville, Iowa, on Sept. 9, 1945. She was raised in rural Esterville and attended school in Gruver, Iowa. Upon completion of high school, she attended Methodist Kahler School of Nursing, receiving a registered nurse degree.

Nancy started her nursing career in Rochester, Minn., where she met her husband, Gary Karlstad. They were married in Rochester on May 4, 1968.

They moved to Denver, where Nancy worked at St. Anthony's Hospital as a registered nurse. After moving to Detroit Lakes, Minn., Nancy furthered her nursing career as a director of nurses at a local nursing home.

From there, the family moved to Mayville, N.D., where Nancy accepted a job as director of nurses at Tri-County Nursing Home in Halton, N.D. She also worked in the emergency room at Mayville Union Hospital until 1988.

The family then moved to Whitefish. Nancy worked at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish in extended care until 1996, taking early retirement because of health issues.

After retirement, Nancy enjoyed her passion for gardening and liked feeding her birds and squirrels. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow and cared for her loving family. Nancy "is at peace in her great garden in the sky, where not a weed is safe."

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Mary Martin, and her brother James Martin.

She is survived by her husband Gary, of Whitefish; sister Pam Houge, of Graettinger, Iowa; brother Craig, of Sutherland, Iowa; son Brant Karlstad, his wife Jeanne and their children Hunter, Brooke and Payton, of Kalispell; son Chris Eric Karlstad, of Portland, N.D.; and daughter Jennifer Johnson, her husband Justin and their children Tanner and Kinzlee, of Whitefish.

A celebration of Nancy's life was held Oct. 27, 2008, at Bohemian Grange Hall, in Whitefish. Cremation has taken place.