Nancy Lee Karlstad, 63

Nancy Lee Karlstad, 63, died of medical complications Oct. 23, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She 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 wed in Rochester on May 4, 1968.

Nancy and Gary moved to Denver, where Gary attended bricklaying school and Nancy worked at St. Anthony's Hospital as a registered nurse. While in Denver, their first son, Brant, was born in 1969.

After moving to Detroit Lakes, Minn., Nancy furthered her nursing career as a director of nurses at a local nursing home. While in Detroit Lakes, a second son, Chris, was born in 1971.

From there they moved to Mayville, N.D., where Gary was involved in farming with his dad. Nancy accepted a job as director of nurses at Tri-County Nursing Home in Halton, N.D.

In 1976, their daughter, Jennifer, was born at Mayville Union Hospital in Mayville, where Nancy later worked in the emergency room until 1988. The family then decided to move to Whitefish.

Nancy worked at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish in extended care and Gary worked as a general contractor. Nancy continued working at North Valley Hospital 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 Martin Karlstad, and wife, Jeanne, and their three children, Hunter, Brooke and Payton, of Kalispell; son, Chris Eric Karlstad, of Portland, N.D.; and daughter, Jennifer Marie (Karlstad) Johnson, and husband, Justin, and their two children, Tanner and Kinzlee, of Whitefish.

A celebration of Nancy's life will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Bohemian Grange Hall, behind Montana Coffee Traders off of U.S. 93 in Whitefish.

Cremation has taken place. Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish is in charge of arrangements.