Regina 'Rae' Kohoutek, 91, Minot, died Saturday, October 15, 2016, in a Minot nursing home.

Rae was born April 22, 1925, in Karlsruhe, ND the daughter of Felix and Mary (Meyer) Merck. She was educated in area country schools during her youth. She took her first job in Devils Lake, working in a caf. She was once married to Leo Haabak. This union was blessed with three children, Yvonne, Leonard and Carole.

Rae was united in marriage to Carl November 4, 1953, in Minot and a fourth child, Arlene blessed their family. They made their home in Max and farmed in Iota Flat Township of Ward County near Max. They moved to Minot in 1959. She spent the rest of her working years as a nurses' aide, working in both the hospital and nursing home in Minot. She also worked as a housekeeper in Minot for many years. Carl passed away on February 6, 2002. Rae remained in Minot, living first in an apartment and then with her granddaughter Joyce Metcalf and her family for five years, a time they valued so dearly. Rae became a resident of the Benedictine Living Center in Garrison until moving to Trinity Homes for a short time prior to her death.

Rae was a member of Our Lady of Grace Church, Senior Citizens Group and Sons of Norway, all of Minot. She enjoyed dancing, baking, cooking and canning and was known to shout B-I-N-G-O a time or two during her life. Rae loved to host gatherings in her home and was Joyce's garage sale partner for many years. She will be deeply missed by all who shared in her life.

Her surviving family includes her children, Yvonne Kolobakken, Minot, Leonard (Wanda) Haabak, Minot, ND, Carole (Robert) Errera, Clayton, NJ and Arlene (Michael) Simonson, Minot, ND; grandchildren, Joyce (fianc Ron Svedek) Metcalf, Minot, ND, Harold Kolobakken, McLean Kolobakken, Natalie (Eric) Foxhill, Franklinville, NJ, Candace Haabak-Beri, Franklinville, NJ, Lauren Haabaak, Michelle Errera, New Jersey, Robert (Ana) Errera Jr., New Jersey, and Christopher (Alicia) Simonson, Minot; great-grandchildren, Larissa and Jessica Metcalf, Braden and Taysha St. Claire, Andrew Brown and Tyler Kolobakken, Dylan and Alonna Kolobakken, Phoenix and Alaris Foxhill, Thomas Beri, Jake and Julia Moore, Marina and Robert Errera Jr. and Monika Simonson; brothers, Joe (Beverly) Merck, Fargo ND and Bill (Mary Jo) Merck, Minot, ND; sister-in-law: Carol Merck, Minot and numerous nieces and nephews.

Regina was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Carl, grandson, Lloyd Kvelstad, sisters, Jane Sattler, Mary Jose, Catherine Duchscherer, and Betty Schaan, brothers, John, Alex and Leo Merck.

Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 20, 2016, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.
Visitation: Wednesday, October 19, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials are preferred.