Katherine Ganje

Minot

Katherine Ganje entered into eternal life on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the age of 92.

Katherine Elizabeth Ganje was born on February 28, 1931, the daughter of Sebastian and

Margaret (Koble) Ziegler, in rural McHenry County, ND. She was raised and attended school in

Karlsruhe. After her schooling, Katherine, affectionately known as “Ket” by family and friends,

helped on the family farm and assisted in raising her siblings. For a short while during that time,

she moved to Minot, where she worked as a waitress.

On June 2, 1954, Katherine was united in marriage to Edward Ganje at Sts. Peter and Paul

Catholic Church in Karlsruhe. Together they made their home on the Ganje family farm near

Balfour, ND, where they farmed and raised their six children. Katherine spent many years as a

homemaker and hardworking farm wife. She grew a large garden each year, raised and

butchered chickens and worked to make a comfortable and loving home for her husband and

children. Edward and Katherine were active in their community and their children’s lives. In

1997, they retired from farming and in 2009 moved to Minot, ND, where they remained. Edward

passed away on October 14, 2016 and Katherine later moved into an assisted living facility in

Minot, living there until her death.

Katherine and Edward were members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Balfour until its

closure, then transferred membership to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at Karlsruhe.

Since moving to Minot, they were members of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church there.

Katherine enjoyed cooking and baking and was known for several signature dishes, including

her kuchen, which she was happy to share with her family and friends. In earlier years, she and

Edward also enjoyed bowling and were members of a team for a time. First and foremost,

Katherine’s faith was very important to her. She made sure to pray the Rosary daily and

attended Mass whenever she was able.

Left to mourn her passing are her children: sons Allen (Connie) Ganje, Washburn, ND; Bruce

Ganje, Rugby, ND; Don (Lori) Ganje, Towner, ND; Greg (Doris) Ganje, Williams, MN; Rodney

(Patti) Ganje, Minot; and daughter Cindy Lang, Warroad, MN, grandchildren: Sheree (Patrick)

Ganje; Taylor and Brett Ganje, Bethany (Travis) Smette, Blaine (McKenzie) Ganje, Cody

(Brittany) Lang, Colton Lang and Caitlin Lang, great-grandchildren: Ava and Annie Smette and

Bristol Ganje; brother Hank (Patty) Ziegler; sister Helen (Virgil) Frost and many nieces and

nephews.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Edward; brothers John, Conrad,

Adam, Joe, Alex, Dan and Edward; and sisters Maggie and Fran.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, November 3, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

Interment: Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, Karlsruhe, ND, at a later date.

Visitation: Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to Our Lady of Grace Building Fund.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries

section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, October 31, 2023.