Joan Skabo, 79, Dickinson, died Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at Miller Pointe Nursing Home, Mandan. Joan’s Memorial Service will be at 10 a.m. MT, Monday, October 22, 2018 at the Prairie Winds United Methodist Church, Dickinson, with Rev. Dick Rinearson officiating. Inurnment will take place at 3 p.m. CT at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.
Joan Scharnowske was born April 22, 1939, in Bismarck, the daughter of Earle and Irene (Hedstrom) Scharnowske. She was raised and educated in Bismarck, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She went on to attend Minot State Teachers College where she met her future husband, Leland Skabo, while they were playing in the school band. She graduated from Mayville State College with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Joan and Leland were united in marriage on June 1, 1961, at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck. To this union two children were born, Jay and Paula.
Joan taught elementary school in Wilton, Bismarck, Grand Forks and Ellendale and worked various administrative jobs at Dickinson State College. She retired as the Executive Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. After retirement, she worked as the Volunteer Coordinator at St. Benedicts Health Center, where she was named the N.D. Volunteer Coordinator of the Year, in 2000. Joan was a member of the PEO, the Blue Hawk Boosters, and enjoyed following the Elks Sodbuster Band, playing bridge, swimming and spending time at the cabin on Lake Tschida.
Joan is survived by her son, Jay (Linda) Skabo, Bismarck; two grandchildren, Jacob Potter and Will Skabo; sister, Kay Meland, Mesa, AZ; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland; her daughter, Paula Hartze; her parents; brothers James and Raymond; brother-in-law Bruce Meland; and brother-in-law Lowell Skabo and his wife Verna.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staffs at Hawks Point and Miller Pointe for the care and attention they gave to Joan.
