Kathy Alvestad

Kathy L. Alvestad, 56, Grand Forks, ND was brought home to the Lord on Friday, March 15, 2013 following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She passed away at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks where she was lovingly cared for by her fellow nurses and staff on 6th Floor. Kathy Lynn Jelinek was born July 26, 1956 in Grafton, ND, the daughter of Richard and June Jelinek. She was raised and educated in Pisek, ND and graduated from high school there in 1974. Kathy was married to Bob Alvestad on August 10, 1974 in Pisek, ND. Kathy and Bob were blessed with two loving children, Melissa and Michael. Kathy worked at the Development Center in Grafton, ND for 16 years. She moved to Grand Forks in 1982, but continued to work in the Grafton Development Center. In 1991, she followed her life's calling and enrolled at The University of North Dakota earning a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and graduating with honors. Kathy worked as a Registered Nurse at Altru Hospital for the past 18 years. She took pride in her nursing and loved caring for others. Kathy was proud to be part of Altru's Nurse Mentor program and loved teaching new nurses and students what it meant to be a nurse. She radiated with love and compassion and showed that to everyone she came in contact with. She was caring and beautiful inside and out. Kathy loved life, her family, her friends, and her patients. She lived life fully, passionately, bravely, and courageously. Her smile was beautifully contagious. The best laughs were the ones shared with her. Kathy was dedicated to her family. She adored her grandchildren and was looking forward to the weddings of her two children this summer. She enjoyed planting flowers in the garden she referred to as "A Piece of Heaven", baking banana bread and chocolate chip cookies for her grandsons, listening to music, shopping for hours with her daughter and UND Hockey. Kathy is survived by her loving husband Bob along with daughter, Melissa (fiancé, Cedric Allbritton), Moorhead, MN; son, Michael (fiancé, Emily Baldwin), Prior Lake, MN; grandchildren, Keondric and Taylen Allbritton; sisters, Rosie (Tom) Jordan, Shenandoah, IA, Shirley (Carson) Hovda, Roseau, MN and Audrey Severson, Jamestown, ND as well as Kathy's special dog, Kodi. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Sandy and Darlene; nephews, Shane and Travis and her mother-in-law and father-in-law. Memorial Services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, March 20, 2013 in Calvary Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 19 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service in Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will continue for the hour before the service in the church.