Ayako "Kay" Noll

Ayako “Kay” Noll, 87, Detroit Lakes, died Wednesday, February 27 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 9 at 11AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Frazee.  Visitation will be held Friday, March 8 at David Donehower Funeral Home from 5pm-7pm with a 6:30pm Rosary and 7pm Prayer Service.  Interment will be held in the spring at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Frazee.

Ayako Gokurakuji, known to many as “Kay” was born December 4, 1931 in Japan.   She relocated to the United States in 1958 and was united in marriage to Willard Gjerde.  Willard and Ayako had two sons: Roger and Paul.  Willard battled cancer and passed away in 1978. On December 16, 1978 Ayako was united in marriage to Steve Noll.   During her working career, Kay was employed as a cook at Erie Jr for many years.  She was member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and also the Eagles Club in Detroit Lakes.  She worked at the VFW for 41 years, cooking and later selling pull tabs.  It was also at the VFW where she met Steve.   Kay was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee.  In her spare time she enjoyed spending time with family, especially during the Holidays.   She enjoyed going to the casino and playing bingo.  Kay’s family meant the world to her and she was proud of her sons and grandsons.

Kay will be remembered and missed by her husband of 40 years, Steve Noll, her two sons:  Roger Gjerde and Paul (Deanna) Gjerde.  In addition, she is survived by her two grandsons:  Chris (Stacia) Gjerde and Joe (Erin) Gjerde and great-grandchildren:  Ethen, Lauren, Colter and Will, daughter-in-law, Wendy Gjerde, Step-grandchildren: Michelle (Jason Wald), Jennifer (Scott Coffman), Nathanael Sheda, Leah (Chuck Hipple) along with numerous extended families in Japan.

She is preceded in death by her parents.