Julie Helen Schmidt

Julie Helen Schmidt, 95, Jamestown, ND died Tuesday April 1, 2025 at Edgewood in Jamestown, ND.

Julie was born on October 7, 1929, to immigrant Norwegian parents: Lorentz J. Kjelvik and Olga (Myrland) Kjelvik in Fargo, ND. She grew up on the family farm east of Perley, MN. She was con rmed in the Lutheran faith at Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley, in 1943. Julie attended rural grade school and went to Borup, MN high school, graduating in 1948 as the class valedictorian. She immediately began working as a secretary at Dakota Electric Supply Company in Fargo.

Julie and Walter Schmidt were married November 13, 1949 at Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley. She continued working until September 1951 until shortly before her rst child, Ilene, was born. She then worked at American Crystal Sugar in the office during the busy harvest season. After her second child, Rhonda, was born, she became a dedicated stay-at-home mom. She kept busy as her children grew up teaching Sunday School, becoming a Blue Bird and Camp Fire leader for her daughters and when her son, David, joined the Boy Scouts, she was a den mother. In 1966, the family moved to Jamestown due to Walter’s work transfer. In 1988, Julie bought B&E Casing and ran that with her husband until 2000 when she and Walter sold it and they fully retired. They loved traveling in their motor home.

Julie was an enthusiastic bowler and served as Jamestown WBA secretary for 19 years and 29 years as a director of the ND Women’s Bowling Association. She was team captain of Dauer’s Bowling team for many years and chaired many local and state committees. She participated in over 40 state tournaments and many national and national senior tournaments. She is a member of both the North Dakota Hall of Fame and the local Jamestown Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame. Besides bowling, Julie and Walter had a vegetable garden every year, and she would can or freeze her home-grown veggies. She also liked to make lefse, quilt and made warm fleece mittens, caps, etc. which she sold at craft shows that she and her daughter, Rhonda, participated in. Julie was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Jamestown Women’s Bowling Association, ND USBC Women’s Bowling, and VFW Auxiliary. She had also served on the nominating committee for the First Community Credit Union.

Julie is survived by a daughter, Ilene Schmidt (Raaum), son David Schmidt; 4 grandchildren: Amy Nash, Ericka (Steve) Wentz, Michael Schmidt, Tanner Schmidt; 3 great-grandchildren: Aubrey Wentz, Asa Wentz, and Riley Wentz. Also surviving is sister-in-law Rojean Kjelvik, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 66 years Walter T. Schmidt, daughter Rhonda Rabideaux, son-in-law Michael Raaum, brothers Leif Kjelvik, Norman Kjelvik, Harold Kjelvik, and sisters Hjordis Martell and Sonja Larson, and a half-sister in Norway Birgit Nicolaisen. 7 Sister-in-laws: Hazel Kjelvik, Marlene Kjelvik, Wendi Kjelvik, Frances Nordby, Marie Frater, Elizabeth Schmidt and Doris Schmidt. 6 Brothers in Laws: Albert Larson, Francis Martell, Emil Schmidt, Benjamin Schmidt, Orlin Nordby and Delos Frater.

Visitation – 10:00 – 1:00 PM Monday, April 7, 2024 at the Haut Funeral Home, Jamestown

Funeral Service – 1:00 PM Monday, April 7, 2025 at the Haut Funeral Home

Burial – Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown

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