Devaughn A. Kolke

DeVaughn was born October 3, 1935, near Hitterdal, MN, the daughter of Perry and Gladys Lundberg Bakke. She graduated from Hitterdal High School in 1953. After graduation, she worked at Elmer's Café in Hitterdal, and as a bookkeeper at the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Fargo. She married Erling Kolke on March 30, 1956, at Salem Lutheran Church in Hitterdal. They were blessed with six children and twelve grandchildren: Julie Lowell Schmidt – Cherri, Dalton, Ellissa; Timothy Delerie Demi – Torin; Lorri Kelly Raasch – Justin Liz, Jennifer; Roger special friend Al Fiedler; Kerry Paul Bonk – Jocelyn, Davis, Miranda; Corey special friend Carla – Lennae, Alex.DeVaughn is a graduate of National School of Dress Design, Art Instruction, Inc., and the Dale Carnegie Speaking Course.At an early age, she showed a talent for art by drawing on the paper grocery bags. She was a lifetime member of the Minnesota Rural Artists, Appleton Area Art Club, and the Cormorant Area Art Club, which she was instrumental in starting. In 2003, DeVaughn met with the Minnesota State High School League Representative Assembly and proposed that art be included in the High School League activities. This was adopted by the League at that time and has increased where over 1200 students from all over Minnesota entered last year.DeVaughn has given over one hundred Chalk Talks to various groups. She taught art for Community Ed classes in neighboring communities. She and her husband, Erling, taught AARP '55 Alive Defensive Driving classes in the Detroit Lakes area for 15 years.Her paintings are hanging in numerous public buildings in the state. One of her paintings, Festive Foliage, of poinsettias, has been made into a popular print. She has made several trips to Italy, Austria, Norway and Sweden on Art Workshops with her tutor, Rose Edin. One of nine children, she is also survived by siblings: Donna Herb Yarbrough, Hitterdal; Gene Jean, Rice Lake, WI; Bob Dianne, Ulen; Wayne Barb, Ulen; Gary Connie, Fargo; Jocelyn Bob Herzog, Ulen; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Clyde and Roger. She has donated her body to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program. DeVaughn was a member of Cormorant Lutheran Church, rural Lake Park, where she served on the church council and was church treasurer and president of the CLC Women.In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Cormorant Lutheran Church, Hospice of the Red River Valley, or a charity of the donor's choice.