Joy Schmidt, 72, Killdeer, died Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2018 at Sanford Health Bismarck with family and close friends by her side. Joy’s Funeral Service will be 10 a.m., Friday, November 30, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer with Rev. Dorothy Stein officiating. Interment will follow at the Dunn Center Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Killdeer and will continue one hour prior to services on Friday.
Joy bravely fought ovarian cancer by chemo treatments until she was declared in remission, then a short time the cancer cells took over her body to where more chemo could not stop the cancer. Her doctor told her there was nothing more they could do for her, so she told him not to give any life support of any kind. Joy hung onto life until her daughter, Doreen, arrived from North Carolina Thanksgiving morning and spent the day with her before her death at 7:35 p.m.
Joy Rae Skjefte was born March 8, 1946 at her grandmothers home in Isanti, Minn, daughter of Arnold and Viola (Carpenter) Skjefte. She was raised and educated in several areas in Minnesota and North Dakota. Her last education was in a one room school house south of Dunn Center.
Joy married Raymond Link on September 28, 1964 and they were together for 23 years and raised five children, four boys and one girl, Howard, Gerald, Doreen, Arnold and Raymond “Jr”.
Joy was united in marriage to George Schmidt, December 31, 1990 and enjoyed 28 years together. They ranched and farmed southeast of Dunn Center and eventually making their home in Killdeer in 1997.
She and George on holidays invited family and extended family for food and entertainment and playing many games. She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, Lions Club and a quilting group at the church.
Joy is survived by her husband, George; her children, Howard (Marsha), Gerald (Dawn), Doreen Gregorie and Arnold (Carmen); eight grandchildren, Llacye, Kallista, Lainee, Joshua, Gabreille, Taylor, Trenton and Kiley; five great-grandchildren; her siblings, Judith Adams, Gail Skjefte and Janet Strom; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Raymond, who died in a boating accident in Belize, South American in November 2004; sister-in-law, Cindy Skjefte; and brother-in-law, Jesse Adams.
