Moorhead – Marshall Scott “Scott” Kays, 64, of Moorhead, passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021 at his home.
Marshall Scott Kays was born March 20, 1957 in Thief River Falls to Marshall Philip “Phil” Kays and Beverly Jane “Bev” (Vik) Kays. He was baptized in 1957 and was confirmed in 1972, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. In 1975, Scott graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls. After high school, Scott pursued multiple paths, first attending the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where he also played football. He later attended Northland Technical College in Thief River Falls and later apprenticed as a Surgical Technologist.
Scott worked as an Orderly, an Emergency Medical Technician, and a Surgical Technologist at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, where he met his future wife. Scott married Cathleen “Cathie” Larson on December 6, 1980. He and Cathie moved to Yuma, AZ, where he worked as a Surgical Technologist at the Yuma Regional Medical Center. They had two of their children while living in Yuma and their third after moving back to MN to be closer to family. Scott spent the majority of his career working in accounting at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND. Scott retired out on disability 10 years ago.
As family members, we choose to remember Scott at his best. We will remember him as a loving father who loved time with his family, sports, and road trips. Anyone that knew Scott likely won’t forget his large stature, his gentle nature, or his booming laugh.
Survivors include his children, Marshall Andrew “Andy” (Rochelle) Kays of Moorhead, Lindsay (Tom) Knakmuhs of Dilworth, and Brady (Brittany) Kays of Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Kenadi (12), Caleb (9), and Cullen (6) Kays of Moorhead, and Kali (15) and Trey (12) Knakmuhs of Dilworth; brothers, Thomas Kays of Thief River Falls, Christopher (Carla) Kays of West Fargo, ND, and David Kays of Chanhassen; niece and nephews, Jonathan Kays (fiancée Kaitlyn Skalet), Brian Kays (friend Elizabeth Brauer), Sydney (Brady) Syverson, and Christian Kays; and a great-nephew, Brink Syverson.
Scott is preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Bev Kays; brother, Mark Kays; an infant sister; sister-in-law, Dianne Kays; aunt, Margaret (Vik) Payne; grandparents, Marshall and Emma Kays, Lewy and Jeanette Vik; and step-grandmother, Mildred Vik.
Private Graveside Services will be held at the Bagley City Cemetery in Bagley.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Scott’s family to cover the cost of things left undone by visiting https://gofund.me/ 8719758b.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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