Joy A. Schlag, 88, Minot, formerly of Velva, died Monday, August 17, 2009 in a Minot Hospital.

Joy was born July 21, 1921 at Redstone, Montana, the son of Harley and Marie Rose (Murr) Schlag. He was raised on the family farm and attended Eagle Creek Country School for eight years and one year at Flaxville High School in Montana. He moved with his family to Rolla and attended high school there and assisted his father with the operation of the farm until 1944, when they moved to Bergen.

Joy was united in marriage to LaVerne Schuhrke on December 26, 1942 at Towner. From this union, five children were born. They moved to Velva in 1950, and Joy began employment with Verendrye Electric Cooperative. He began working as a lineman and continued to work for the company until retiring in 1983.

Joy was later married to LaVerna Hovland on June 11, 1965 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Sawyer. They continued to make their home in Velva, until he entered Trinity Homes in 2004.

Joy was a member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, Velva, and later St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Sawyer, where he had served as an Elder and Church Treasurer. In his younger years, he was also a member of the Velva Golf Club and participated in bowling leagues in Velva. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, square dancing and traveling in his later years.

His loving family includes : wife, LaVerna, Velva, children, Donna (Emil) Wachinski, Minot, Karon Kasprowicz, Velva, Joyleen (Dr. Steve) Mattson, Minot, Marlys Vinticinquo, Princeton, New Jersey and Roger(Nancy) Schlag, Velva; Step-Children, Lavonne Hovland, Beaverton, OR, Karen (John) Kramer, Velva, and Myron Hovland, Lake Stevens, WA; Twenty-One grandchildren, Seventeen great-grandchildren.

Joy was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral service : Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in Trinity Homes, Minot;
Recitation of the Rosary : Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot;
Graveside service : Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in the Sawyer Community Cemetery;
Memorial service: Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Sawyer;
Visitation: Wednesday from Noon - 5:00p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor's choice.