Gail Evelyn Arends

Gail Evelyn (Knutson) Arends, age 82, of Moorhead, MN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at home surrounded by loved ones.

Gail was born on February 21, 1944, in Cooperstown, ND, to Konow and Evelyn (Hanson) Knutson. She grew up in Cooperstown and graduated from Cooperstown High School before attending Concordia College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education.

After college, Gail spent a year teaching high school English on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. Later, she worked for the Spinal Cord Association, Lutheran Campus Ministries in Moorhead, the F-M RedHawks, and the FARGODOME.

In 1967, Gail married Brent Orjansen in Oceanside, CA. Together, they had two sons, Carey and Marc, and shared 22 years of marriage until Brent's death in 1989. In 1993, Gail married Richard "Dick" Arends, bringing together their families and welcoming his three sons, David, Matthew, and Benjamin, into her life. Their family continued to grow over the years with grandchildren and, now, a great-granddaughter on the way.

Gail was small but mighty, a spitfire who was never afraid to speak her mind. She loved to read, sew, knit, crochet, cross-stitch, and do just about anything that involved sitting in a comfortable chair with a needle and thread in her hand and a blanket on her lap. More than anything, she loved creating things for the people she loved. Over the years, she sewed outfits, uniforms, and Halloween costumes, cross stitched birth records for grandchildren and knitted countless scarves and afghans to give to family and friends.

She loved going out dancing with friends, watching the Twins, Vikings, and NDSU Bison, and attending as many of her grandchildren's activities as she possibly could. Gail also loved to travel, taking many trips over the years with Brent and their boys, and later with Dick, his sons, and their many grandchildren.

In 1993, Gail built a home from the ground up with her son Carey and friend Rollie Martinson in Moorhead. She later went on to flip 26 houses with Dick, decorating and designing every detail along the way. She loved to fill her own home with love, life, and laughter and was happiest entertaining, throwing parties, and being surrounded by family and friends.

Giving back to her community was also an important part of Gail's life. She generously volunteered her time with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Oak Grove Lutheran High School, Sons of Norway, the Medora Foundation, and several other community boards and committees throughout the years.

Above all, Gail loved her family and her community. Whether she was cheering from the stands, making something by hand for someone she loved, traveling with family, volunteering her time, or simply enjoying a full house, Gail showed her love by being present. Her family will remember her for her creativity, generosity, and the unmistakable spark she brought wherever she went.

Gail is survived by her husband, Richard "Dick" Arends; daughter-in-law, Anne Renee Orjansen - wife of the late Carey Orjansen; son, Marc (Sara) Orjansen; stepsons, David (Shari) Arends, Matthew (Cory) Arends, and Benjamin (Shantel) Arends; grandchildren, Maxwell, Sydney, Johan (Rachel), Zachary (Megan), Jakob, Jackson, Annika, Tyler, Hope, Kelse, Caleb, Ida, Jack, and Bjorn; and a great-granddaughter on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Konow and Evelyn; her infant brother; her husband, Brent; and her son, Carey.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service in Moorhead,MN, with Visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Kirkebo Lutheran Cemetery in Perley, MN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to HIA Hospice.