June Ruth Schmitz, 88, Minot, died Friday, October 24, 2014 in a Minot Adult Foster Care Center.

June was born June 3, 1926 the daughter of Raymond D. and Ingeborg (Sjoquist) Atwood in Renville County, Tolley, North Dakota. She was raised on the family farm and attended grade school in Grover Township, Renville County. She attended Tolley High School and completed her high school degree in 3 years. She then attended what was Minot State Teacher's College (MSU) and earned credits to receive an Emergency Teaching Certificate. That fall, she taught school at Sauk Prairie Country School, Ward County and later taught at her alma mater, Tolley, ND. As June felt education was important, she continued taking many classes. In 1965 she received her 4-year Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, Psychology and Special Education, along with a Reading Credential. It was also a proud moment as she passed down her mortarboard to her youngest brother, Larry Atwood. In 1967 June received a Life Teaching Certificate, and in 1974 the National Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award. June taught in other country schools such as, Rockford, Ivanhoe, White Ash and Norma. She concluded her teaching years in Kenmare with 29 years as a first grade instructor. June retired in 1991 from the teaching profession after 40 years of elementary teaching. Before her retirement in May 1991, June and her first grade students won the Grand Prize for their yearly study of "The Bill of Rights" for the ND Bill of Rights Bicentennial Contest.

June was a Life Member of the Kenmare American Legion Auxiliary Unit #64 as well as a Life Member of the Kenmare Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Unit #7049. In Louisville, KY in 1988, she was given the citation for the ND American Legion Auxiliary Member of the Year. June was also presented with the following awards: Regional Children & Youth Legion V.I.S.O.N; National Legion Auxiliary Award for Children & Youth Service American Award; and Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation National Department Award for the Best Overall Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation Program. June was elected North Dakota President of the American Legion Auxiliary for 1999-2000. She was National NW Division Auxiliary chairman and on-call patriotism speaker for American Legion Auxiliary for 2001-2002.

June was also involved in Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Minot. DKG promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. She was a member of the Minot Area Retirement Teachers Association, past State Director of ND Square Dancers, and chairperson for Kenmare Centennial Play.

June's greatest quality, however, was her faith in God. June attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Tolley. It was there that she met her future husband of over 59 years, Albert Schmitz. June and Albert were married at Trinity on June 27, 1948. They purchased a farm in Grover Township of Renville County where they raised their four children. She was active in the church serving 58 years as a Sunday School teacher, as well as a Vacation Bible School teacher, and was a member of the women's LWML. Wherever she was she wanted young and old alike to know about her Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived her faith sharing and caring for others and many times putting other's needs before her own whether they were family, neighbors, friends, or just acquaintances, whether they were close by or a distance away. June was a very caring person who inspired and encouraged others to do their best. She worked at improving her community, state, and country through education and with great patriotism. She cared deeply for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. June will be missed dearly by all who loved her and shared in her life.

June is survived by her sons: Dave Schmitz, Denver, CO; Daniel (Nancy) Schmitz, Bristol, IL; daughters Vicki (Rudy) Steinke, Minot, ND; Naomi (Patrick) Haye, Minot, ND. grandchildren: Kisha (Phil) Radliff, Columbus, OH; Karl Haye, Antioch, TN; Benjamin Schmitz, Wheeling, IL; Matthew (Megan) Schmitz, Alexandria, VA; Bethany (Chad) Tourt, Lynn Center, IL; Jonathan Schmitz, Bristol, IL; Anthony Steinke, Bismarck, ND; Christa (Josh) Hodge, Marian, KY; and Jeffrey (Jessica) Steinke, Bismarck, ND; great-grandchildren: Kyree Haye, Amelia Haye, Alexander Radliff, Zachary Radliff, Sophia June Radliff, Hailee June Tourt, Kylee Steinke, Bailee Steinke, and Paizlee Steinke. Brothers: Raymond (Shirley), Powers Lake, ND; Larry (Karen), Minot, ND; sisters: Glee (Roger) Grau, Dickinson, ND; Eileen (Ernie) Ward, Homer City, PA; and Lela Peterson, Reynolds, ND; sisters-in-law: Joyce, Tolley, ND; Arlis, Minot, ND; and Charlotte, Minot, ND; Patty Ballard, a special friend and care provider who also became part of her family. Also, numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and several cousins.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Albert, her parents, brothers Justin, Dale and Jerry, and brother-in-law Wayne Peterson.

Funeral Service : Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot

Visitation: Friday, October 31, 2014 31from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: preferred to the Ray and Ingeborg Atwood Scholarship fund at MSU or Second Story, Minot.