Gloria Elizabeth Kordahl Kaste, 79, of Fertile, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 31, 2023.
Gloria was born in St. Paul, MN, on October 2, 1943, to Axel and Alice (Opsal) Kordahl. She was a long-time member of Little Norway Lutheran Church in Fertile.
The daughter of a Lutheran pastor, Gloria was raised in severa communities in North Dakota and Minnesota. She graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1961. Gloria married Paul Kaste on August 31, 1963, at First Lutheran Church in Battle Lake, MN. They settled in Fosston and later moved to the Kaste century farm northeast of Fertile to farm and raise a family.
Gloria was trained as a Registered Nurse at the Lutheran Deaconess School of Nursing, graduating in 1964. In 1977, she completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, while working and raising a family. Gloria spent her professional career in health care, working in various positions from staff nurse to director of nursing at two different care centers, and finally as administrator of the Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home in Erskine, Minnesota, until her retirement. Gloria was an innovative leader in long-term care and helped change the way care is delivered to elderly people.
Throughout her life, Gloria was active in many organizations. Civic organizations were important to Gloria as she felt it important that women be actively engaged in the political process. She has been a dedicated volunteer in many community and regional organizations throughout her life. She served on the Riverview Foundation Board, was a founding member of the Sandhill River Golf Course Board and has been a very active member of the Little Norway Church, including serving on the pastoral search committee. Gloria was instrumental in starting the Fair Meadow Assisted Living in Fertile and also helped start the Fair Meadow Foundation. She was an avid supporter of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, focusing her efforts on the Women’s Fund and Fertile-Beltrami Community Fund. The Dorcas circle at Little Norway was especially dear to her.
Generosity was a theme in Gloria’s life. She generously gave of her time, resources, and love. She loved to entertain, get together with friends and family, and spoil her grandchildren. Gloria had a deep love and dedication to her seven grandchildren. Summer visits were filled with fun orchestrated by Grandma Gloria, who made sure that there was an abundance of activities that were certain to include all and create memories and laughter. Her laugh was infectious and filled the room with joy and fun.
Gloria is survived by her husband of 60 years, Paul; daughter, Gretchen (Rawleigh); sons, Garth (Colleen), and Karl (Ann); grandchildren, Cynthia, Cora, Grant, Colin, Teddy, Norah, and Vivienne; and siblings, Joy, Becky, Judith, and Joel. Gloria was preceded in death by her mother, Alice; brother, Johnny; father, Axel; and stepmother, Catherine.
Memorials are preferred to Care and Share of Crookston, Inc. located at 220 E 3rd St, Crookston, MN 56716.
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Little Norway Lutheran Church, Rural Fertile, MN.
Visitation: One hour before the memorial service at the church.
Inurnment: Little Norway Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Fertile, MN.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.eriksonvikfh.com
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home
Fertile, Minnesota
