Kathleen Marie Wass (Tootie) passed away on Thursday morning, March 20, 2025, at the age of 57 in Grand Forks Altru Hospital due to declining health. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Kathy was born on June 21, 1967, in Carrington, N.D. to William J. – also known as Hank – and Gloria (Nelson) Schaack. She grew up in Starkweather, N.D., and graduated from Starkweather High School with the class of 1985.
On Sep. 25, 1999, Kathy was united in marriage with Rodney Wass. The celebration was held in Devils Lake, N.D., and the two made Devils Lake their home for the next 25 years. Kathy and Rodney had two sons: Riley Wass (22) and Kaden Wass (19).
Throughout her life, Kathy pursued cosmetology, operated as the manager of a convenience store, and eventually found her passion working as a paraprofessional at Minnie H. Kindergarten Center in Devils Lake, N.D.
She loved to teach, bake, cook, pickle vegetables, play bingo, and play darts. Her specialties were homemade banana bread, donuts, and pickled beets. Those close to her always looked forward to her Christmas baked good platters made with so much love. A Christmas would not be complete without Tootie’s treats. Apart from baking, she enjoyed watching cooking and reality shows on TV. She especially enjoyed “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Chopped,” “Big Brother,” and “Survivor.” One uncompleted item on her bucket list was to visit the “Hell’s Kitchen” restaurant in Las Vegas.
She was an amazing wife, mother, sister, friend, and chef. She was a selfless, kind-hearted, and giving woman to all that knew her. Whenever issues or problems arose, Kathy was the first to listen and was always willing to help. She was a beautiful soul, finding friends wherever she went. Oftentimes, she would make those around her feel better, simply by being there. She did not realize the positive impact she had on countless lives.
This amazing, talented, and beautiful soul leaves behind her most treasured persons of the Earth: Her husband, Rodney Wass; sons, Riley and Kaden Wass all of Devils Lake, N.D.; brothers, Roger Schaack along with his wife April (Alexandria, Minn.) and Kevin Schaack along with his wife Ronni (Uniontown, Ohio); brothers-in-law, Jim Wass along with his wife Laura and George Fuentes (Denver, Colo.); mother-in-law Carolene Wass (Denver, Colo.); nieces and nephews, Ryan, Shannon, and Lexi (Denver, Colo.) and Alec Schaack (Uniontown, Ohio); and her very close friend, Deanna Schwanke (Leeds, N.D.). Among those listed above she also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents William J. – also known as Hank – and Gloria, her infant brother, Micheal, her father-in-law, Robert, her sister-in-law, Debbie Fuentes, and her very close friend, Deb Duerr-Nelson.
Funeral Announcement: There will be a public viewing on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake, N.D. starting at 4 p.m. The family service will follow at 6 p.m. The funeral will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake, N.D. at 10 a.m. with burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
