JoAnn Ryherd
JoAnn Ryherd, age 85 of Elgin, ND; passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Hope Congregational Church in Elgin with Pastor Ed Zimmerman, officiating. Burial will be in the Spring of 2022 at the Ebenezer UCC Cemetery north of Elgin.
JoAnn Naomi Emilia Hintz was born on May 16, 1936 to Otto and Ann (Nuss) Hintz, eight miles northwest of Elgin, ND at the Henry Nuss farm. She was the third of six children. In 1941, just before starting school her parents relocated to Dickinson, ND where she attended Berg Elementary School and Dickinson High School. While in Dickinson, she was very active in the Camp Fire Girls Organization. In 1951, her family headed west to California. Her first home in California was in the little town of Dos Palso where she completed one semester of her sophomore year in high school. Next came a move to Fresno where she attended Central High School from which she graduated in 1954. Following graduation, she was employed by Pacific Telephone Co. She left that position to work as a secretary and office manager for Youth for Christ. She remained in that position until her marriage in 1966 to Gerald D. Schmidt when they moved to Coalinga, California. It was in Coalinga where their son, Jon was born. While in Coalinga, “Jo” worked as a secretary for the First Presbyterian Church and Coalinga School District before accepting a position with Fresno Co. Dept of Social Services where she remained for 20 years.
Following her retirement in 1990, Jo and Jerry moved to Elgin, ND. Jerry passed away in 2001 after a bout with cancer. Jo attended Hope Congregational Church where she was involved in the music program. She was active in Germans from Russia, (Treasurer) and Elgin Days Committee. She was also involved with hair care at Dakota Hill Housing and Jacobson Memorial Care Center. She acted as a site manager for Senior Meals as well as being on the Board of Directors serving as treasurer, president and secretary. (not all at once) She entertained also with others at Dakota Hill, Jacobson Memorial Care Center, and Senior Meals in Elgin, New Leipzig, and Carson. On June 25, 2005
Jo married Ellis Ryherd. Along with a new husband, she gained three new grandsons and three granddaughters and his sons, Kevin and Michael who were both ministers so they officiated the ceremony.
Jo loved playing “Stix” with several of her lady friends (an “old hen’s party” according to her husband) Jo loved to sing but was disappointed that in later years her voice “cracked” and she could no longer do solos.
She is survived by her son, Jon (Camie) Schmidt, Brentwood, CA; three step-sons, Keith (Reda) Schmidt, New Caney, TX, Kevin Ryherd, Scotland, SD; and Michael Ryherd, Flower Mound, TX; one step-daughter, Pam (Joe) Rodrigues, Madera; grandsons, Eric Schmidt, Christian Schmidt, Mike Schmidt, Shawn Rodrigues, Zakk Ryherd, Tyus Ryherd, Isaac Ryherd, and granddaughters, Ashley, Payton, and Hailey Ryherd and great grandson, Mark along with many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Preceding Jo in death where her husbands, Jerry Schmidt, Ellis Ryherd, her parents, Otto and Ann Hintz, several aunts and uncles and one great-nephew, Jeff Hann.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com