Kathy Ward

   It is with great sadness we announce Kathleen “Kathy” (Martin) Ward passed away peacefully in the company of family on May 2, 2025, in the care of Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, ND.

   Kathy was born on July 31, 1951, in Valley City, ND. She spent her childhood in Bismarck, ND with her family and was fond of her summers as a lifeguard in the local community. She went to college at Valley City State University where she received a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Library Sciences. Kathy met her future husband Bob at a dance while they both attended college there. After many years of adventures and a move to Fargo, Bob and Kathy were married on December 19, 1979, in Fargo, ND.

   Most of Kathy’s career involved positions in human resources. She worked at Target in Fargo for many years before joining the human resources department at Blue Cross Blue Shield where she worked for 23 years before her retirement in 2015. She also worked for Applied Engineering on a part-time basis following her retirement. Working in human resources was a perfect fit for Kathy’s incredible kindness and compassionate heart towards others. Her ability to make people feel cared for and loved was legendary. On several occasions, when meeting people who had worked at BCBS, they would always smile as they remembered Kathy and the role she played in their careers. She was dearly loved by her colleagues and anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her.

   Kathy was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time at the family camper by the lake reading. She passed her love of reading on to her daughter Cass, who usually just picked up whatever mom had just finished, appropriate or not. Kathy also enjoyed football games and particularly the Minnesota Vikings. There were many Sundays in the Ward home where shouts could be heard from the living room or kitchen as a game raged in the background. Curt and his family carry on her tradition of watching the game and armchair coaching from their home. In 2015, Kathy became a grandma when Greyson arrived in August and Sam in October. She loved playing with her boys, and they were the light of her life in her later years.

   Kathy is survived by her children Cassandra (Josh) Ely and Curt (Ali) Ward; her nine-year-old grandsons Greyson Ward and Sam Ely; her sister Terri (Bob) Mastel; her brother Paul Martin; a niece and three nephews; and several cousins. Kathy is preceded in death by her husband Bob Ward, her father Arnie Martin, her mother Betty Ohm, and her brother Gary Martin.

   Memorial Service: Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., in West Funeral Home, West Fargo, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

   Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, North Dakota.

   A Video Tribute may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N0JIXUQjok

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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