Douglas Emil Vaith

Douglas Vaith, 76, Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

The memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Aaker Funeral Home, Lakota, ND with visitation from 12:00 - 2:00 PM. Inurnment will be at the Michigan Cemetery at a later date. 

Douglas Emil Vaith was born on April 11, 1945 at Devils Lake, ND to Emil and Lydia (Kroulik) Vaith. He attended Sauter country school and later Michigan school. Douglas didn’t know any English before starting school, only Bohemian. He enlisted in the Army serving from 1962-1965 where he worked in radio communications. After an honorable discharge Douglas moved to Washington. When his daughter, Lisa was a week old they moved back to North Dakota where he began working for the ND State Highway Department. His son, Doug, was born two years later. Douglas was the lead man of the Michigan section of the Grand Forks district of the ND State Highway Department.

On October 2, 1993 Douglas was united in marriage to Renae Johnson at Michigan Lutheran Church. The couple lived in Michigan until 1999 when they moved to Grand Forks and later to Bismarck, ND. While in Bismarck Douglas worked at the State Capitol as an information volunteer. Douglas and Renae lived in various places before settling back to Grand Forks due to health reasons.

Douglas liked to keep busy and was very active in the community. He helped start the Michigan Ambulance and served on the Michigan Fire Department. He was known for being kind and had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed painting ceramic houses, model trains, reading and had a strong faith. He was self-educated and if there was something he didn’t know, he would read up and learn all he could about it. He deeply loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Douglas is survived by his wife of 29 years, Renae, Grand Forks, ND; daughter, Lisa (Brian) Aanenson, Gary, MN; son, Doug (Sarah) Vaith, Michigan, ND; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Donna (Gary) Gullickson, Pahrump, NV; brother, Joseph (Kim) Vaith, San Jose, CA; sister-in-law, Barb Vaith, Plymouth, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Edward Vaith.

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