Regina “Gina” Nolte

Regina “Gina” Ann Nolte passed away at the age of 61 on June 9, 2018 after a courageous two year battle with pancreatic cancer. Gina was born in Oakes, ND on December 24, 1956 to Budd and Mickey (Brown) Larson. She grew up in rural Oakes and graduated from high school in 1975. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1979 from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and a Master of Science degree in Public and Human Service Administration from MN State, Moorhead in 1993. Gina began her nursing career working at Dakota Hospital. She went on to work in a number of nursing positions in the area including St. Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead where she worked for 9 years primarily as a psychiatric nurse but she also served as Education Coordinator, Drug Prevention Coordinator and Director of Outreach Services. She then worked as CEO for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Consultants before moving on to work in long term care for Midwest Home Health Care in Ada, MN. She worked for Dakota Heartland Health Systems in a number of different positions primarily in the mental health and chemical dependency fields. Gina served as the Executive Director of Red River Valley Dental Access Project for a number of years. She has worked at Clay County Public Health for the last 13 years as Director of Health Promotions. Gina was very passionate about her work and actively involved in the community.

Gina married Daniel Nolte on September 24, 1988 in Oakes, ND. She loved “Danny Ray” with all her heart. They enjoyed time with family and friends, traveling, attending music concerts, and spending time at Blanche Lake in MN. Gina aspired to be a sailor, teaching herself how to sail on the styrofoam sailboat she purchased at JC Penneys!  She was always on “Safety Patrol” at the family cabin, making sure everyone wore their life jacket and scouting the lake to see if anyone needed help. Her favorite thing at the lake was sitting on the deck, looking out at the lake with the family around her talking and joking. Gina loved playing the piano and became the church organist at a young age for her small country church. She absolutely loved playing with her nieces and nephews, whether that was dancing, making movies or playing a competitive game of Monopoly. She was always a very willing volunteer when her nieces wanted to do her hair and make-up or give her a manicure.

Gina is survived by her husband, Daniel Nolte of Fargo; father, Budd Larson and special friend, Vangie Roney of Oakes, ND; sister, Patty Gustafson (Steve) of North Mankato, MN; brother, Brent Larson (Sarah) of West Fargo; and brother, David (fiancé Tracy Bailey) Larson of Rogers, MN. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Nyla Nolte of Fargo; sister-in-law, Karen Rosby (Gordon) of Detroit Lakes, MN; and sister-in-law, Kathy Nayes (Rick) of Fargo. She was adored by her nieces and nephews including Joe Gustafson of North Mankato; Abby and Macy Larson of West Fargo; Emma, Alexa and Bella Larson of Rogers, MN; Ali and Cam Bailey of Princeton, MN; Waldomiro dos Santos of Florida; Monica Aho (Kevin) of Edina; Doug, Joe, and Sam Nayes of Fargo. She is also survived by beloved cousins in North Carolina. Gina was preceded in death by her mother, Mickey Larson and father-in-law, William Nolte.

Gina was well known in the F-M community as the nicest person and made friends with everyone! She had a positive impact on all those she loved and worked with. She will be missed terribly. Memorials may be given to the CCPH Mental Health and PS4H (Partnership for Health Programs), The F-M Coalition for the Homeless (or its member organizations), or the Red River Dental Access Project. The family would also invite individuals to donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Visitation: Thursday, June 14, 2018, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.

Funeral: Friday, June 15, 2018, at 10:30 A.M. with visitation one hour before the service in First Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND.

Interment: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Oakes, ND.