Joyce Ann Schmidt

Joyce Ann Schmidt February 15, 1936 to February 25, 2026 Joyce was born February 15, 1936 in Oregon City to Walter and Florence Stone. She grew up on the family farm on Lower Highland Road in Beavercreek with her older brother Walt and younger brother Larry. Education: Joyce attended primary grades at the country schools in the Highland community before graduating from Oregon City High School in 1953. Joyce began studying in Corvallis at Oregon State College, where she was proud to be part of the new Azalea House cooperative living group. After two years, she transferred to Lewis & Clark College graduating in 1958 with a Sociology degree. At the time, Lewis & Clark made more financial sense as she could live in Portland with her Grandma Staub and work at North Pacific Lumber to finance her education. Her boss and co-workers at North Pacific Lumber took a special interest in Joyce’s future and did everything necessary to ensure she graduated. Home life: Joyce was married to her loving husband Carl for over 56 years until his death in 2015. When they were first dating, Carl put his Army flight training to good use, renting airplanes and landing in the hay fields of the family farms. Following their marriage in 1958, the couple settled in Salem where Joyce worked as a case worker for Marion County Social Services. Social work seemed to be more of a calling than a job as Carl and Joyce hosted several foster children during the early years of their marriage. Joyce worked for Marion County until 1962 when Steven was born, followed by Glen in 1964, and Ruth in 1967. From there, she created a home for her family on 2.5 acres at the end of Ibex Street in Salem. The house was often full of company, whether hosting pinochle with the Herr & Frau group, friends and relatives from Europe, or anyone that needed a temporary place to stay, Joyce had an open-door policy. She also poured into the lives of others including several families of Laotian immigrants who lived in Salem. Adventures: On their first date, Carl and Joyce watched the movie Around the World in 80 Days--which turned out to be excellent foreshadowing of their life together. Joyce loved travel and was up any adventure—from weekend camping trips and epic cross-country drives to European vacations (occasionally coming home with a new Mercedes Benz), two African safaris, and many cruises. Ruth and Scott took her on her final cruise to Alaska in 2021. Joyce often repeated the phrase “Who would have every thought a couple of kids from rural Clackamas County would see THIS!?!” when reminiscing about her far flung travels with Carl. Grandkids: Joyce was blessed with four grandchildren. Karl and Katy from Glen and Ellen; and Joshua and Hannah from Ruth and Scott. They provided Joyce with tremendous enjoyment and filled her with pride. She often quipped “We went for quality over quantity!” Memorial services: Services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 2 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Lord’s Cupboard food pantry c/o Trinity United Methodist Church.

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Joyce Ann Schmidt

February 15, 1936 - February 25, 2026