Correne Vaage

Correne Ann Knittel Vaage, 74, Stanley, ND, beloved mother, sister and grandmother, passed away at Briarwood Healthcare Center in Denver, Colorado on January 26, 2016.

Correne was born August 28, 1941 to Henry (Hank) Knittel and Hilda (Schermeister) Knittel of Linton, ND. The eldest of three girls, Correne was an outgoing young woman involved in choir, band and chorus. Her love of music was evident as she mastered the piano and perfected her vocal talents. Correne attended Jamestown College in 1959 with a concentration in music. She transferred to the University of North Dakota where she pursued a double major degree in music and social work. She was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement. Correne also fought for women's rights in a time and place where many women's voices went unheard.

In 1962 she was married to Thore Fossum and in 1968 welcomed the first of her daughters, April Elisa. In 1970 April was joined by her newborn sister Noel Kirsten. While living in Minot, ND the Fossums also welcomed over 20 foster children into their home. Correne was still "mom" to many of her girls until her time of passing. Correne found employment at the Minot Daily News and became a pastry chef at the Minot Airport, all the while teaching piano and voice at her home in NW Minot. Correne was also the organist and choir director at All Saints Episcopal Church in Minot during this time.

Correne remarried in 1980 to Lowell Vaage. Correne and her daughters moved to rural Burke county where she became stepmother to Lowell's three sons, Rodney, Gene and Kevin. Correne helped to work the small wheat farming operation and later cattle ranch with her husband Lowell. A warm and welcoming woman, Correne always had a hot cup of coffee ready for anyone who stopped by her family home on the "11 mile corner". She was an avid gardener and wildlife enthusiast. Over time the farm became home to a small herd of orphaned sheep as well as many abandoned dogs and cats. Correne and Lowell were married for over 22 years. Lowell lost his own battle with cancer in their Stanley, ND home on April 23, 2003.

Due to health concerns Correne moved to Denver, CO to be near her daughters and sister. Correne was a joy to all that knew her and she made fast friends in Colorado with everyone she met, though her heart would always be in ND.

Correne was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Minot, ND as well as a supporter of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Powers Lake, ND. She was actively involved in 4H with her own children as well as those from the neighboring farms. Correne was also a member of Eastern Star and several other community organizations.

Correne is survived by daughters, April (Fossum) Coveney, Conifer, CO and Noel (Fossum) Knittel-Gilder, Denver, CO, her step-sons, Rodney Vaage, Stanley, ND, Gene Vaage, Anchorage, AK and Kevin Vaage, Billings, MT, her sisters, Carol (Knittel) Robison, Strausburg, ND and Kimberly (Knittel) Henson, Denver, CO, foster daughters, Dorothy Olson, Phoenix, AZ, Joyce Olson, Holdingford, MN and Donna Mae Turner, Grand Forks, ND, and Correne's many grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 18, 2016, 2:00pm at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, 1350 Washington St., Denver, Colorado 80203 with a reception to follow at the cathedral in Dagwell Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Autism Society, www.autism-society.org/ or the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/