Kari Kolstoe

Kari Lynne Kolstoe, 61, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on her birthday, August 17, 2020 at her lake home on Grace Lake near Bemidji, MN surrounded by family and loved ones. Kari was born on August 17, 1959 in Grand Forks, ND to Jerry and Agnes (Berg) Hamerlik. Kari attended school in Grand Forks at West Elementary, Valley Middle and Central High School.  Kari married Paul Kolstoe on August, 8th 1980.  They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary together.  She attended University of North Dakota and earned a Bachelors Degree in Education. Kari acquired her Masters Degree in Education (1993) from the University of North Dakota at the same time as her mother Agnes.

Kari taught 3^rd grade at Carl Ben Eielson and Belmont Elementary schools. When Phoenix Elementary was built on the site of Belmont Elementary after the flood of 1997, Kari began teaching as a reading specialist. She trained as a Reading Recovery teacher in 2003, and was able to use her training with many young readers over the years. Kari shared her love of literacy through another hobby, quilting. She created beautiful masterpieces of blankets, tree skirts and table runners, but one of her favorites was to make baby quilts that matched a book and provide them to all of the family, friends, colleagues and more. She wanted to make sure all new babies started out on the right foot with literacy!

Kari retired in May of 2017 from teaching reading. She was not really ready to be done working with students and literacy at that time, but there were some other passions that were calling her, so a more flexible schedule was necessary. First and foremost, were the grandchildren that called her Mor Mor. Beginning 12 years ago when Alyssa was born, up until 1 year ago when Samuel was born, she enjoyed holding the new babies, and as they grew, reading books and going on adventures with all of her grandchildren.

In addition to her family time, Kari was a life-long traveler. When asked her favorite three destination locations, she had a very difficult time narrowing them down as there were so many great ones. New York, Norway, the Vatican, and Marco Island were some of her top picks.  Her family and friends would consult with Kari before planning trips, as she always had great ideas on where to go, what to do and how to save a few dollars while on vacation, too.

Kari was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church for all of her 61 years. Her trust in God and unwavering faith were inspiring, especially in the last two years as she was battling ill health from neuroendocrine cancer. The number of friends and family members that were moved in their faith because of her strength, courage, conviction and devotion were numerous.

Kari is survived by her husband Paul Kolstoe and her daughters Elizabeth (Brad) Mackowick and Laura (Travis) Vaughn; grandchildren Alyssa Mackowick, Joshua Vaughn, Jacob Vaughn, Eleanor Vaughn and Samuel Vaughn; her mother, Agnes Hamerlik,  brother Michael (Beth) Hamerlik and sister Maria (Scott) Hennen, mother-in-law, Carolyn Kolstoe,  brothers in-law David (Sheila) Kolstoe and John (Gail) Kolstoe; many nieces and nephews:  Matt (Bailey) Krusen, Anna Hamerlik, Alex Manz, Hannah Manz, Haley Hennen, Simon (Abby) Kolstoe, Katanya (Phil) Prior, Erica (Ron) Elwell, Evan (Daphne) Kolstoe, Alex Kolstoe, Aidan Kolstoe; Godchildren Katie Keegan and Amy Kapocius; and many cousins with whom she was very close.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Hamerlik, father-in-law, Ralph Kolstoe, brother-in-law, Mark Kolstoe, and nephew Matthew Kolstoe, and very special aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2020 in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Grand Forks.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service Thursday, August 20, 2020 in Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks, with  seating limited to 75 people at the prayer service.  Masks will be required at both events.  Interment will be in Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks.  Memorials are preferred to St. Michael’s Foundation or Grace Lake Watershed Improvement Association. 

You may view the funeral mass from this link: https://youtu.be/mtfWYktinhs