Katherine A. Carlisle , 42, of Fargo, ND passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023, at her home in Fargo.

Katherine Alice was born to Katy Carlson in Fargo, ND, on November 20, 1980, and adopted by Paul and Karen Retzlaff in April 1981. She was a happy child and was baptized on April 26, 1981 and confirmed at Sundahl Lutheran Church in 1995.

She attended K-6 elementary at Aneta Public School, Junior High at Dakota Prairie-Tolna, and Dakota Prairie High School in Petersburg graduating in 1999. While in high school, she was part of the DPHS Speech Team and Academic Challenge Team.

She participated in the Jolly Haymakers 4-H Club activities by showing hogs and cattle as well as pursuing photography, woodworking, and other skill building projects, including demonstrations and public speaking. She also attended 4-H Camp near Washburn and became a junior counselor.

In September 1999, she enrolled in the pre-veterinary science program at North Dakota State University and assisted a local veterinarian during the summer months between her freshman and sophomore years.

While attending NDSU for Veterinary Science, she met her husband Chris Carlisle at a friend's home. Katherine and Chris lived in Fargo, ND; Albuquerque, NM; Laramie, WY; and Aneta, ND. Katherine loved to travel and see the country. On April 7, 2002, she married Christopher John Carlisle at Sundahl Lutheran Church, Aneta, ND. Two children, Kiras and Avery, were born to this union. She was also the stepmother to Teighlor and Kristoffer Karlson and the step-grandmother to Malikai Karlson.

She became a Licensed Practical Nurse following completion of the certification program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College. In June 202, Katherine began working at Marvin Modern Windows until her death on January 14, 2023.

Katherine's love for her family was inspirational. She would have done anything for her family, as it was the most important thing to her. Kat enjoyed helping people and decided to go back to school to be a nurse. She earned her LPN license and was able to work at nursing homes as a traveling nurse for a bit of time. In her later years, she found a love for more industrial jobs, gaining a job at Marvin Windows, where she looked forward to seeing her work in buildings that had her windows in them.

Katherine and Chris Loved each other so much, they got married twice. They were married once in the Fargo Courthouse on June 14, 2001, and again at the Sundahl Lutheran church in Aneta on April 7, 2002. They had a running joke which became a game on who would remember their Anniversary, Katherine usually winning thanks to her mother for calling her a week later.

Katherine loved to travel and drive in the car with music playing. She loved camping and fishing, along with cooking and grilling. She loved the art of theater, and the stories in books she read. She loved playing her ukelele and her flute, completing detective games and doing science projects with her kids. Towards the end, she gained a love for getting dressed up and looking gorgeous. She would go out on the town with her equally handsome husband, to enjoy live music and dance. Even though they weren't the best, they had a magical time.

Katherine also had a special love for her animals, her cats; Vader, Yoshi, Yub-Yub, Lando, Rikko and teeth. Along with her fish and the plethora of mystery snails that appeared. They also raised rats, Chunky and Remi.

Her favorite holiday was Christmas. She loved it so much that she would keep the tree up until almost March. If she had it her way, the tree would be up all year round, with the lights glowing and filling up the house with familiar Christmas cheer.

Preceding her in death were grandparents, Aaron and Katherine Meidinger, Ronald and Helga Retzlaff; father-in-law, Bruce Carlisle, and uncle, Thomas Meidinger

Katherine is survived by her daughters, Kiras and Avery Carlisle, Fargo, ND; husband, Chris Carlisle, Fargo, ND; her two stepchildren, Teighlor and Kristoffer Karlson; parents, Paul and Karen Retzlaff, Aneta; brother, Michael (Angie Rosewaren), Aneta, ND; birth mother, Katy (Mark) Kerkvliet, Harwood, ND; sisters, Amanda and Amber, Fargo, ND;  mother-in-law, Nan Carlisle, Fargo, ND; grandson, Malikai Karlson; numerous aunts and uncles and friends.

Her husband Chris and their children will celebrate Chris and Katherine's 23rd Wedding Anniversary in Fargo, ND on April 7, 2023. (Time and location are yet to be determined.)

Celebration of Life : Sundahl Lutheran church in Aneta, ND. (Date and time are to be determined.)