Katherine Kay Wanser

On September 1, 1926, an angel was born into this world in Jamestown, North Dakota, and was finally taken back to heaven on August 20, 2013. Her name was Katherine Szarkowski, and her parents were Edith and Paul Szarkowski. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 pm Friday, August 23, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. Thomas Richter and Bishop Paul Zipfel officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Thursday, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7:00 pm. Kay grew up on a farm north of Jamestown, one of 7 siblings in a Polish family with an enduring heritage of faith, love for each other and their community, and creativity. Kay's gentleness, humility, and inner grace were hallmarks of her life, traits which anyone she ever touched easily recognized. Although a farm girl at heart with a penchant for horseback riding, Kay also had a very elegant side, aided by her long-legged beauty and a taste for fashion that endured throughout her life. These charms were beyond resistance for a handsome ex-sailor from New Jersey who somehow found his way to Jamestown College. After meeting at a college dance, the two fell in love and married on September 1, 1949, the beginning of a lifelong partnership between Kay and John Wanser. Kay devoted the early years of marriage to raising a family. Her daughter, Roxanne, was the first born while Kay and John lived in Tuttle. After moving to Bismarck, her sons Greg and Johnny followed. Kay and John cherished their relationships, welcoming countless friends into their home for both simple and elaborate occasions. And Kay, whether on short or advance notice, would without fail put together truly gourmet offerings, always served with an easy grace. No one who was ever privileged to attend could ever forget her Russian Christmas dinners, her incredible Thanksgiving and Easter feasts, or her spaghetti which had no peer. Kay loved gardening, flowers, and bright colors. She was always whipping up beautiful new napkins and tablecloths, with an artistry that extended to wood finishing. Her talents are still on display in her beautiful work at the East 40 in Bismarck. After her children were grown, Kay embarked on her own career, working in the Bismarck Public School system helping kids with vision impairments. But perhaps her biggest impact was with yoga, which she single-handedly introduced to Bismarck starting at the Women's Health Center. She led two separate group lessons in her home every week, which were always followed by libations and delicious snacks. Kay's loving touch with all involved led to many close and enduring friendships. Kay also had a strong love for music, and channeled that passion through extensive involvement and support of the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra. Kay was the perfect alter-ego in a marriage partnership with John that was marked by endless love and devotion. Her patience, grace and humility were the perfect complement to John's enormous persona. And it was a partnership that continued to grow even stronger as the years passed. The last six years of Kay's life were difficult by any measure, after she suffered a major stroke that left her paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. Yet she bore this burden with the same uncommon grace that marked her entire life, with the strong devotion between her and John becoming even more apparent. And as her brain recovered, a previously hidden mischievous side emerged in the form of a penchant for wry comments and offbeat humor. Surviving Kay are her daughter Roxanne, her son Greg, son-in-law Bob Berger, grandson Bobby Berger and his wife Krista, sister Rita and brother Chuck. Her son, Johnny, preceded her in death. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to the Bismarck Mandan Symphony League, PO Box 2031, Bismarck, ND 58502-2031, or Emmaus Place, a retirement home for Catholic priests, at 1020 N. 26th St, Bismarck, ND 58501. Kay departed this world in the same way she lived her life, peacefully and patiently, six months to the day after her husband John was taken from her. And as a sign of her new beginning, it was the first day of school in Bismarck.

Katherine Kay Wanser

September 1, 1926 - August 20, 2013