Grant, Krista L. (Fagerland)

Krista L. (Fagerland) Grant, 43, of Preston, died Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City as a result of a massive stroke. A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, from St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Preston, with Pastor Gregory A. Geier officiating. Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday from the church. Burial will be at the Preston Cemetery. The Carson & Son Funeral And Cremation Services in Maquoketa is in charge of the arrangements.

Krista L. Fagerland was born March 24, 1967, in Maquoketa, Iowa, to John W. and Evelyn L. (Hoffman) Fagerland. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. She was a 1985 graduate of Maquoketa Community High School and received her B.A. degree from Luther College in 1989, with a major in business management and a minor in her other favorite subject, Scandinavian Studies. She married Gene G. Grant on Aug. 12, 1995, at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa.

Krista began working at Maquoketa State Bank in 1984 as an MOC student in high school. After graduating from college, she moved to Mankato, Minn., and worked as an FDIC bank examiner until 1991, when she came back to Maquoketa to work at Maquoketa State Bank and Ohnward Bancshares, Inc.

Krista was chief financial officer for Ohnward Bancshares, Inc. She served on the board of directors of Ohnward Bancshares, Maquoketa State Bank, First Central State Bank and served as chairwoman of the boards of Ohnward Bank and Trust and Gateway State Bank. She also served on the board of the Paul B. Sharer Foundation and Iowa-Midwest Insurance Co. of Des Moines.

Krista volunteered for many community activities and served multiple terms as president of the board of Sunshine Daycare Center. She was a member of the Preston Women's Club and was an active member and Sunday school teacher at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Preston. She also enjoyed mentoring school children. She lived her life according to her personal mission statement, “Everyday I will make a POSITIVE difference in the lives of everyone I touch.” Even in death she continued to fulfill this mission by being an organ donor.

Krista's family was a very important part of her life and she loved her children dearly. She enjoyed watching her daughter participate in sports, 4-H and sharing her love of music.

Krista is survived by her husband, Gene G. Grant of Preston; a daughter, Marta Grant, at home; her mother, Evelyn Fagerland of Maquoketa; sisters, Karen (Terry) Slattery and Kendra (Mark) Beck, both of Maquoketa; two nieces and five nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Fagerland; and her son, Andreas.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Paul B. Sharer Foundation, Ohnward Fine Arts Center or the charity of your choice.

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