Elizabeth Kathleen Smith , better known as Kay, was born on July 10th, 1933 to Hal P. and Jorgina (Stensrud) Smith on their family farm near Westhope, ND. She was the seventh of nine children. There, she grew up and attended country school before graduating from Westhope High School in 1950.

On November 21st, 1952, Kay was united in marriage to Robert Ivan Rakstad in Bottineau, ND. They moved to the Grand Forks area where they made a home to raise their two children, JoAnn and Duane.

Kay was an avid seamstress providing much of her children's clothing as they grew. She had a beautiful gift in creating and crafting anything she put her hands on. She also had fun finding treasures at garage sales and completed many colorful jigsaw puzzles.

She enjoyed working for many years at So-Fro Fabrics and later Hallmark in the Columbia Mall.

If you remember anything about Kay, it's most likely her incredible smile that had the power to brighten any day; her infectious laughter that filled your soul with pure joy; and her warm, embracing hugs that always felt like "home".

Kay is survived by her children JoAnn(John) Maloney of Bismarck, ND and Duane Rakstad of East Grand Forks; three grandchildren Michele Rakstad of Moorhead, MN, Shawn (Tara) Maloney of Urbandale, IA and Paul Maloney (Amber Dooley) of Mandan, ND; great-grandchildren Alicia Lamberson, Anthony (Nikki) Lamberson, Paige, Kaylee, Cora, Maeve, Bridget and Meghan Maloney, Alivea and Jaxson Laws; and two great-great grandchildren Seeley and Jameson Evanson. She was preceded in death by her parents Hal and Jorgina Smith, husband Robert and nine brothers and sisters.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 1:30 PM, Thursday, October 16, 2025 at Resurrection Cemetery, 2203 River Rd. NW, East Grand Forks, MN 56721. Service will be live-streamed here on Kay's page.