Denise L. Majerus, 66, Kathryn, ND passed away at her home, April 8, 2023 surrounded by her family while under hospice care with CHI Home Health and Hospice.  Her passing ended the battle she’d fought with pancreatic cancer.  A memorial service and celebration of her life will be 2:00 PM, Monday, April 17, 2023 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kathryn.  The services will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with her obituary on her tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com.  An online guestbook is available there as well.

Denise Saugstad Majerus was born May 23, 1956, in Valley City, ND, to John and Lynette Saugstad. She was baptized in Sheyenne Valley Lutheran Church, rural Kathryn, and raised on the family farm nearby with her older brothers, Stanley and Ricky and her younger sister, Cyndy.

Denise graduated from Kathryn High School in 1974 and from NDSU with a degree in horticulture in 1984. In September of 1984 Denise married Dave Majerus in Fargo. They returned to Kathryn and farmed with Denise’s family, later developing a horse facility that breeds and trains American Quarter Horses. Denise showed her horses, winning many buckles in state competitions.

While raising their sons, Tyler and Justin, Denise was very involved in church and youth activities, coaching 4-H Hippology groups that advanced to state and national championships. She shared her love of animals, particularly horses and dogs, with her boys and many other children. During those years, Denise was also involved in preparing and writing for the Kathryn Centennial celebration.

Denise and Dave worked for several years for Triebold Paleontology, creating dinosaur exhibits and installing them in museums from Chicago to Korea to Valley City.  In 2005 they purchased Wagar’s Nursery in Valley City, renaming it Riverside Gardens, where Denise continued to share her love for flowers and trees.

Denise is survived by her husband, Dave; their son Tyler (Lacy) and their children Landon, Brenna, and Ellie; their son, Justin (Katie) and their children Henry and Emily Denise; sister-in-law, Jeannie Blom, brother-in-law, Dale Zaun, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Stanley Blom and Ricky Blom, and her sister Cyndy Zaun.

Memorial donations may be made in Denise’s name to Sheyenne Valley Cemetery Association, St. Paul’s Cemetery or CHI Home Health and Hospice.