Iola Kvasager

Iola Jeanette Kvasager, 90,  passed away peacefully January 29, 2018, at home surrounded by her family.  Iola was born March 13, 1927, in Reynolds, North Dakota to Chester and Annie (Nelson) Lebacken.    She attended Americus #23 (a one room rural grade school) and Central High School in Grand Forks.  She married Arvin Kvasager on November 16, 1945 and raised two children: Marlys and Darrell. After WW II, Iola and Arvin moved into a new home in the north end of Grand Forks where she became active in the local school district and political activities.  As a charter member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, she was a leader in Ladies Aid and provided leadership for the many church dinners, funeral luncheons, wedding dinners and Easter breakfasts.  When Mike and Barb Polovitz moved their membership to University Lutheran Church, Iola and Arvin followed.  At University Lutheran Church,  Iola continued to place her energy toward service to others and love of the Lord. Over the past 50 years, Iola organized and directed dozens of political campaigns for the Democratic Party.  Her energy and passion were recognized by DFL and she was selected to be a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1996.  Iola continued to be active in the campaigns of multiple Democratic candidates. As a volunteer to Valley Memorial Homes for 14 years, Iola chaired the Valley Memorial Club.  Their efforts provided residents those joys of birthday parties, anniversary gatherings and social events.  Organizing those events was never a task for Iola, but rather a joy.   She was an avid gardener; her gardens were recognized as being some of the best in Grand Forks and she received  “lawn of the week” recognition.   Iola was always up for an adventure.  Sailing in Puget Sound, Washington for dungeness crab; fishing for salmon in Seward, Alaska; viewing Alaskan Brown bears at Brooks Lodge, Alaska ; or driving 3200 miles to Alaska in a 1949 Dodge pickup were just a few examples of her love of seeing new places.  A trip to Norway brought her to her family roots in Gudsbradalen, Norway and the Lillehammer, Norway Olympic site.  Driving to Denver to visit daughter Marlys always meant a mountain journey and planting a flower garden in the Mile-High city. One of her recent joys was spending time at White Earth Lake, Minnesota visiting her son Darrell and daughter-in-law Linda Osland.  Relaxing in the sauna for hours  provided opportunities to tell stories from 70 years ago and share feelings.  It was amazing to hear the clarity with which Iola recalled events and people from her childhood.  And, even more amazing was Iola's ability to recall names of children and grand children of her nieces and nephews.  Iola was a walking genealogical encyclopedia; knowing who was married whom and when.  Iola is survived by her husband Arvin; children Marlys, Darrell (Linda Osland); grand daughter Whitney (Russ) Wimbish; sister Marion (Kenneth) Kvasager and many nephews and nieces.  Iola is preceded in death by her parents Chester and Annie and brothers Orlando “Jeep” (Mae) Lebacken,  Duane Lebacken and LeRoy (Betty) Lebacken, and sisters Dolores Kvasager (Elner) and Arleen Kvasager (Howard). She will be greatly missed by many.Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at University Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service at Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks. Burial will be in Memorial Park South Cemetery of Grand Forks.