Joyce E. Smith

The Reverend Jo Smith, 84 of Devils Lake, North Dakota died on Monday morning, March 23, 2009 at Heartland Care Center with family and friends at her side. Sevice of the Celebration of Life in Memory of The Reverend Jo Smith will be held on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of the Advent, Episcopal, Devils Lake. Rev. Reuben Schnaidt will be the celebrant, assisting priest, Rev. Jackie Bernacchi and also assisting will be Deacon Bonnie McNaughton. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Joyce E. Smith, daughter of William H. and Margaret (Keimer) Smith was born on January 9, 1925 in Sandusky, Ohio where she grew up and was educated, graduating from Sandusky High School in the class of 1943. She worked for Esmond Dairy in Ohio and left to attend Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, MN. After graduating she returned to Sandusky and worked two years at the Good Samaritan Hospital. In 1948, Jo and a friend set out on a great adventure, boarding the train and coming to Devils Lake where Jo would live, work and spend the rest of her life. In April of 1948, she began employment at General Hospital in the Lab and X-Ray Department working there until 1954. She then joined the Radiology Department at Lake Region Clinic until retiring in 1990. In her younger years, Jo was quite an athlete, playing softball, hunting and fishing. She always enjoyed nature and the outdoors. She loved the game of golf and served on the Board of the Town and Country Club for many years. The name Jo Smith was synonymous with bowling in the Lake Region. She participated in league bowling for many years and was the president of the North Dakota Women’s Bowling Association from 1966 to 1990. Past President of the WIBC (Women’s International Bowling Congress); served on the Board of the National WIBC. Served as president from 1997 to 1999 of the YABA (Young Americans Bowling Alliance) and in 2006 was the General Manager of the Lake Region United States Bowling Youth. In 1990 she was inducted into the North Dakota Women Bowlers Hall of Fame and in 1986 was inducted into the Lake Region Bowlers Hall of Fame. Jo was also an active member of the Elks Lodge, an avid patron of the Arts in the Lake Region and served her community in many other organizations and activities. The most important aspect of Jo’s life was her faith and serving God. She was a very active member of the Church of the Advent, Episcopal and was ordained a Deacon of the Episcopal Church on December 15th, 2007. The greatest joy and fulfillment came when she was ordained a priest of the Episcopal Church on June 21, 2008. She was a member of the Ministerial Association and also brought the Word of God to the Odd Fellows Home and Heartland Care Center. This true faith in God sustained Jo through every hill and valley of her life and that legacy of steadfast faith and love will be forever in our hearts and memories. Rev. Jo Smith is survived by her brother, William H. Smith Jr. of Sandusky, Ohio Nieces: Debra Brady and her husband Richard and their children, Christine, Ryan and Carrie also of Sandusky. Tyra Lehmann and her husband, John and their children, Taylor and Taryn of Avon, Ohio Nephews: William H. Smith III of Nashville, Tennessee Shane Smith and his fiancé, Susan Mellett also Sandusky Extended family members: Cathy Ann Wolfe (Gene Serumgard) of Devils Lake Carol (Jerry) Schumacher of Monroe, Washington; Preceded in death by her parents; step father, Fred Weller and sister-in-law, Elinor Jean (Lippus) Smith. A Memorial Service and interment in the Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Church of the Advent-Episcopal P. O. Box 703 Devils Lake, North Dakota 58301 or Grace Episcopal Church in Sandusky, Ohio