Kristi Rae Swartz

On Saturday, May 28, 2022, Kristi Rae Swartz, at the age of 54, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

She was the daughter of Terry and Paulette (Undlin) Swartz, born December 22, 1967, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She attended Viking Elementary School, Schroeder Middle School and graduated from Red River High School in 1986. During high school, Kristi belonged to FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) serving as an officer in each. She enjoyed serving as state secretary in VICA. From 1986 to 1990, she attended Bemidji State University, receiving a BS in Graphic Design/Print Production. She was employed at Bobs Litho in St. Paul, MN as a Graphic Artist from 1990 to 1993. She then worked at General Mills for Act II Popcorn, in packaging design until 1993 while living in Little Canada, MN. After moving back to Grand Forks in August 1993, she worked at the University of North Dakota (UND) Aerospace as a Visual Communication Specialist. In 2003, she received her Master’s in Instructional Design at UND and worked as a member of the online team in Continuing Education. During her career at UND, Kristi served for nine years as Staff Senate Vice President and Secretary which allowed the opportunity to serve as State Staff Senate President. She worked at UND for 28 years working with faculty and students, which she loved dearly. Kristi was one of the founding members of Muddy Waters Clay Center where she made numerous beautiful designs and life-long friends. Throwing pottery, gardening, completing puzzles and diamond painting and traveling with friends and family were her passions, while being a doting Aunt and a loving mother to foster children was her dual purpose. Kristi leaves this earth believing that Jesus has prepared a place for her in Heaven.

She is survived by her Mother, Paulette Undlin Swartz; Sister, Tera Swartz Vanyo; Nephews Tatum and Tyson; Niece Taryn; Aunt and Uncle, Kathy (Swartz) and Herb Arnett; Margaret Undlin; and many cousins. She was also a bonus aunt to Kaylee and Abigail Baker. Kristi is proceeded in death by her Father, Terry Kingsley Swartz; her grandparents Onetta (Kingsley) and Charles W. “Peg” Swartz and Florence (Routledge) and Raymond Undlin; aunts and uncles, Verna Undlin, Colleen (Undlin) and Glen Carlson, Joanne (Undlin) and Maurice Railing; and Uncle Lloyd Undlin. She will be at the UND Medical center for three years, at which time, she will be buried in Lansford, ND. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Muddy Waters Clay Center P.O. Box 12317, Grand Forks, ND  58208-2317 or the Cancer Center of your choice.