Larae Kaushagen 70 passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at her residence in rural Thief River Falls, MN with her loving family by her side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Monday, July 26, 2021 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will be at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM with a 5:00 PM prayer service on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Monday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

Larae Glenda Hiebert was born in Thief River Falls, MN on June 17, 1951 the daughter of Emil and Vivian (Beaulieu) Hiebert. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls. Larae attended St. Bernard's Catholic School through 8 ^th grade and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls with the class of 1969.

On February 8, 1969, Larae was united in marriage to Luther "Luke" Kaushagen in Moorhead, MN. They became proud parents to their daughter Lona that same year. They lived in Moorhead until Luke was drafted into the US Army in May of 1969 when Larae moved back home to Thief River Falls. In May of 1970 she and Lona moved to West Germany where Luke was stationed. In 1971 the family returned to Moorhead where they became proud parents to their son Matthew in 1973. In 1974 they made their home in Thief River Falls and in 1997 moved to their new home in North Township.

During her early years, Larae worked at the A & W Drive-in and Thief River Falls City Clerk's office. In Moorhead she worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield and after returning to Thief River Falls she felt blessed to stay home with their children while they were young. Eventually, Larae went to work at Northwestern Hospital in the Radiology Department and in 1991 worked for the Minnesota DNR until retirement in 2015.

She enjoyed fishing, gardening, travel, cooking, knitting, reading, and watching football. She especially enjoyed time with her family.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Luther "Luke" Kaushagen of Thief River Falls; son, Matthew (Kathryn) Kaushagen of Beaufort, NC; son-in-law, Keith Moen; grandson, Lucas Moen both of Thief River Falls; sisters, Janet (Douglas) Johnston of Thief River Falls and Candace (Calvin) Thompson of Sisseton, SD; sisters & brothers-in-law, Judy (Dick) Olson, Daniel Kaushagen, Mary Jane (Roger) Paradis, Mark (Cynthia) Kaushagen, Joy Kaushagen, and Kyle (Evelyn) Kaushagen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Lona Moen; brothers, Lynn Hiebert and Keith (Darlene) Hiebert; father-in-law, Gordon Kaushagen; mother-in-law, LaVonne Kaushagen (Don) Thune; sister-in-law, Kristi Kaushagen Furuseth; and cherished family friend, Roy (Catherine) Jorgenson.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to women's cancer research at the Mayo Clinic, 200 West First Street SW, Rochester, MN  55905.