Rejean "Rae" S. Naas

ReJean Sharyl (Whiting) Naas, age 70 of Fargo, ND and San Tan Valley, AZ, died November 5, 2024 at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND after a brief battle with cancer.

Rae was born January 23, 1954 to Lloyd and Carolyn (Palmer) Whiting in Bemidji, MN. She attended school in Bemidji and graduated from Bemidji High School in 1972.

She moved to California to nanny for her nephews and later moved to Fargo, ND where she worked as an aide in the neurology department of St. Luke’s Hospital. Fargo is where she met the love of her life and future husband, Michael Naas, shortly before her 20th birthday in 1974. Mike and Rae were married at Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo on June 14, 1975. Mike sweet talked her into moving to McVille, ND where he joined the family farm. In 1980 they moved onto the family farm with 2 young daughters. Her love of gardening flourished as she took care of the big yard, raised 3 children, cooked and baked copious amounts of wonderful food, and held a few jobs outside the home over the years. She very much enjoyed keeping the ladies and gents of Cooperstown and surrounding communities decked out in the latest styles while working at Diane’s. In 1998 she took an opportunity closer to home, at Berg Insurance and was there until 2006. She took classes at Lake Region when the kids were young and later added EMT to her repertoire.

Rae served in her church as treasurer, Sunday school teacher, Luther League advisor, and served what must be hundreds of fellowship lunches. Over time, her gardening hobby grew, as did the size of her flowerbeds, and she was recognized for her hard work with the honor of being included in the garden tour.

In 2009 Mike and Rae ventured to Arizona for a month and it wasn’t long before they set roots down and enjoyed closer to 7 months of the year shoveling sunshine instead of snow. It was hard to tear heat-seeking Rae from the warm climate, where she and Mike spent much of their time golfing. They met and spent time with many of their most cherished friends, both old and new, from across the country and Canada. Not just once, but twice she nailed a hole-in-one - first in AZ and then in Fargo. As hard as it was for her to leave the sunshine in the spring, the joy of reuniting with grandkids eased the chill.

Rae was known for many things - her bright fingernails and ever-present lipstick, amazing food, fantastic golf game, fun-loving spirit, hilarious phrases, and deep desire to learn about people. She never met a stranger, “adopting” daughters and daughters-in-law, and she welcomed all of her children’s friends as family. Her smile lit up a room and nearly everyone who met her, loved her.

Rae will be deeply missed by Mike and their children Jennifer (Paul) Knutson, Marcie, Brian (Lule), grandchildren Tessa and Ross Knutson and Calla Naas, brothers Ken and Ryan Whiting, sister Valessa Hentges, in-laws Ginny Mueller, Barb and Rod Adrian, and many special nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Dan.

She was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws Alaine and Irving Naas, Craig Mueller, Arlene Whiting, Beth Whiting, Patricia Whiting, and Jim Hentges.

The Memorial Service will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, rural Kloten, ND, on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.  Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.