Grace Kerzman, age 64, of Garrison, North Dakota, passed away on February 27, 2026.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison, ND, with burial to follow in the spring. Visitation will be held from 6:00–7:00 PM on Friday, March 6, 2026, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Garrison, ND, with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 PM.

Grace was born on October 17, 1961, in Garrison, ND, to Francis J. and Anne (Messer) Kerzman. She was raised on a farm in Emmet, ND, along with her older, beloved sister, Jan. From the time they were little girls until Grace's passing, Grace and Jan were the best of friends and the dearest of sisters.

When tragedy struck Grace's extended family while she was still a girl, her parents opened their home and hearts to fifteen of Grace and Jan's cousins after they lost their own parents. The family was no longer "extended" — they were simply family. Grace and Jan gained fifteen brothers and sisters, and Grace remained close to her special cousins "brothers and sisters" throughout her life.

Grace graduated from Garrison High School in 1979 and went on to attend and graduate from Dickinson State University. She initially worked at Totco in Belfield, ND. Eventually, she moved back to Garrison in 1984 and began a career with the Farm Service Agency — USDA, where she served as a program technician until her retirement in 2011.

Grace was a homebody who loved her crafts, especially knitting, crocheting, quilting, making jewelry, diamond dot pictures and working on any new craft. Above all, she cherished being a loving and reliable aunt, sister, cousin, godmother, and friend. Grace, affectionately known as "Cheesy," never missed a baptism, graduation, wedding, football game, homecoming, or funeral. She was not a woman of many words, but she made them count, often with wry one-liners that could put you in your place (but only if you need to be). In joyful times, Grace was there to celebrate with you and share her love. In difficult times, she was there to care for you and share your burden. Grace loved a new baby; she was there changing diapers or babysitting older siblings. When a friend was diagnosed with cancer and needed surgery, Grace moved in and cared for her. Grace had a generous, loving heart — and she spent her life giving it away.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Anne Kerzman, and by her special cousin "brothers" Tom Kerzman and Jim Kerzman. She is survived by her sister, Jan Kerzman; her special cousins "brothers and sisters" May (Scott) Rodahl, Mary Beth Kerzman, Bill (DeAnn) Kerzman, Paula (Ronney) Sansom, Madonna (Ed) Buth, Pete Kerzman, Marella Krein, Anita (Ron) Friedt, Ann (Randy) Wilson, Teresa (Alvin) Fliginger, Patricia Kerzman, Margaret Hollatz, Mary Jo (Herb) Jenkins, Jerome Kerzman, and Jill Kerzman; dear friend and "sister" Mary Barth; "nephews" Andrew (Num) Barth and Schaan (Rachel) Barth; "great nephew and great niece" John and Hannah Barth; Godson Jesse Klaudt and many other "nephews & nieces", cousins, family members, and friends who loved her.

Thanks to the special ones: Mary Beth, Madonna, Marella and lifelong friend Darcy DeHaven who were there with their love and support in the hospital.

We, the friends and family of Grace, will miss her deeply. While we wish we had had more time with her, we are grateful that the Lord spared her from prolonged suffering and brought her home so soon after her cancer diagnosis. In our faith and hope, we are comforted that Grace is now in Paradise, reunited with her parents, and patiently waiting to be there for us again, in this life and the next.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Grace's honor to a local hospice organization, a cancer society, or St. Nicholas Catholic Church.

To view a livestream of the service, go to www.facebook.com/garrisonthompsonfh or to the Thompson Funeral Home-Garrison, ND Facebook page.