Kathleen A. Anklam

Kathleen Ann “Kathy” Anklam, 80 of Rolette, ND passed away on Friday morning, November 1, 2019 at the Heart of America Medical Center, Rugby, ND.

Funeral Services for Kathy will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Valle Lutheran Church, Rolette with Reverend Jim Odden officiating. Burial will be in the Rolette Cemetery.

Gathering of family and friends will be held on Tuesday, November 5^th at Valle Lutheran Church from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. 

Kathleen Ann was born on November 29, 1938 to Ross and Hazel (Wickman) Brennan, the oldest of seven children. She grew up in the Turtle Mountains on the shores of Carpenter Lake.

After graduating from high school, she continued her education at Minot State College, earning her Teaching Certificate. She taught at Shell Valley, a one room country school. One day the bachelor farmer “Donald Anklam” showed up at the school with a very original alternative motive to meet the single school teacher.  He asked her if she wanted to go “hunting rabbits”. He had a shot gun with him, hoping she would say yes. 

Kathy was united in marriage to Donald on September 21, 1959 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Rolette. They purchased the “farm homestead” on mile South of Rolette on “April Fools Day”, 1964 where they raised their 2 daughters Karen and Wendy.

Once Karen started school, Kathy returned to teaching kindergarten. She also took classes at Turtle Mountain Community College in Belcourt and after the daughters left home, she worked to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Mayville State College and with hard work and dedication received her Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. 

She was a beloved teacher at Rolette Public School for many years and eventually was the Grade School Principal. Prior to her retirement, she was a Reading Specialist at the school.

For the past 20 years since retirement, she and Don traveled extensively throughout the United States.

Kathy was a very active member of Valle Lutheran Church and the WELCA. She enjoyed bird watching, quilting, fishing, gardening-both flowers and vegetables. There was a large accumulation of fabric for the countless baby blankets that Kathy made to give to relatives and anyone who she knew having a baby.  The International Peace Garden held a special place in Kathy’s heart, since her father had worked their while serving with the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp).

Kathy was all about family. She made it a point to be present for the many milestones in her grandchildren’s lives and felt blessed to be a great grandmother. Kathy never missed the yearly Brennan family reunions and so many other get-togethers with her extended family.  She knew how important it was to bring together the constantly growing family and treasuring all the laughs and memories shared. 

Adjectives that best describe our precious Kathy include welcoming, inquisitive, supportive, respectful, encouraging, positive and most of all loving which was shown in her many gifts and ways.

In late August, Kathy entered Hospice Care at Heart of America. At the admission meeting, we were told to focus on “quality of time-not quantity”. We want to thank the staff for their many efforts of kindness and care shown to Kathy. 

Kathy’s loving family include her husband Donald, now of Rugby, formerly a resident of Rolette, ND for 87 years; daughters Karen (Wayne) Hopfinger, Bismarck, ND and Wendy Anklam, Minneapolis, MN; siblings Carol Desper, Bismarck, Margaret (John) Bedard, Bottineau, ND, Betsy (Gary) Snidak, Stow, OH, Jack (Evie) Brennan, Fargo, ND and Gail Fox, Mankato, MN; grandchildren Jerett, Derek, Travis and Caitlin; great grandchild Radrick; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Peggy Johnson.