With heavy hearts, we share that Angella Mae Kassube, 67, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on December 2, 2025. Losing her so suddenly has left all of us heartbroken.

A celebration of Angella’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on July 18th at The Depot (100 Aldrich Ave SW, Wadena, MN). Friends and family are invited to gather and share stories, laughter, as well as memories of the incredibly talented and deeply loved person she was. Angella loved stories — she always had one to share, and she once said that she collected both stories and people—and we know she will be with us all in spirit.

Following this gathering, friends and family are invited to Green Island Preserve & Retreat (850 Scheer Dr NE, Wadena, MN) for fellowship and reflection. Earlier that day, the family will plant there Angella’s favorite tree—a lilac—on the grounds. This living legacy will continue and grow in honor of our enduring love for her. Each spring fragrant blooms will remind us of Angella’s beautiful smile, engaging eyes and infectious laughter that made every room brighter.

Angella was born to Lyle Lewis and Mary Alice (Solid) Kassube and grew up on the family dairy farm in Bertha, MN. She graduated from Bertha-Hewitt High School and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Art from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

A true creative spirit, Angella was a gifted graphic designer, art director, animator, sculptor and artist. Her work spanned motion graphics, print design and filmmaking. She always brought something fresh, thoughtful, and unmistakably her own to her work. She began her career at Prairie Public Broadcasting in Fargo, ND and later found her professional home at HDMG in Minneapolis, where she designed for more than 20 years. Most recently, she worked as a freelance designer, lending her talent to well-known organizations like Best Buy, Target, and Mayo Clinic.

In 2008, Angella co-founded motionpoems.com with poet Todd Boss—a project that grew into a 12-year creative force and reshaped the landscape of modern poetry by connecting poets and filmmakers. She co-directed and executive produced many of their 150+ films, collaborating with renowned poets such as Robert Bly and Dean Young. Her short film Render, Render (by poet, Thomas Lux) was a finalist at the Berlin Short Film Festival.

Through Motionpoems, Angella met the love of her life, Dag T. Straumsvåg, in 2009. In 2020, Angella and Dag launched A + D Trondheim ∕ Minneapolis, their “tiny but mighty” poetry press. Angella created the cover art and interior design for their two books—Spøkjelse i japanske drosjar (Ghosts in Japanese Taxis) by Michael Dennis and Finn eit stille regn (Find a Quiet Rain) by Tom Hennen—work that received high praise from readers across Canada, the U.S., and Norway. At the time of her passing, she and Dag had just begun collaborating on a new project with Minnesota poet Robert Hedin.

Angella also originated and is co-credited for the cover art of The Mountains of Kong, written by Dag and published by Assembly Press. She designed the cover art for A Further Introduction to Bingo, a chapbook Dag co-wrote with Canadian poet Jason Heroux. She will be remembered by many for her boundless enthusiasm in supporting fellow artists and writers.

Angella is survived by her fiancé Dag T. Straumsvåg of Trondheim, Norway and her precious cat, Mama Yukster (Yuki); her siblings Lynn Cheek of Fresno, CA; Merle (Beth) Kassube of Anoka, MN; Dennis (Darlene) Kassube of Easter Township, SD; and Nyla (David) Benson of Wilmot, SD. She will also be deeply missed by her six nieces and nephews; seven great-nieces and nephews; and one great-great-nephew.

She was preceded in death by her beloved cats, Avery and Mittens; her parents, Lyle Lewis and Mary Alice Kassube; and her brother-in-law, Robert Cheek.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Angella’s memory to the American Diabetes Association.