Joseph Scholand

Joseph A. Scholand, age 96, died on December 21, 2008 at his home in Hillsboro. Joseph was born to William and Elizabeth (Bilfelt) Scholand of rural Buxton, ND on October 12, 1912. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Joe attended and graduated from the Reynolds School. He farmed with his dad and brothers until being drafted into the US Air Force in 1943. During his military service he was assigned as a waist-gunner on a B-17 bomber. He flew with his crew over England and on the ninth mission the plane was shot down over Germany. Joe became a prisoner of war until liberation on April 11, 1945. During his imprisonment he was considered an American Man of Confidence for American prisoners at camp because of his ability to speak German and interpret for them. Joe was liberated April 11, 1945 and was discharged from the USAF on October 9, 1945. Joe married Clare M. Linneman at the chapel on the Fitzsimmons Army base in Colorado on November 9, 1945. He returned to Reynolds and served as the US Postal Service Post Master and Rural Letter Carrier. In 1990 they moved to Hillsboro. Joe never hesitated to share the many experiences he?d had over the years. He had an excellent ability to tell stories and to share history with anyone willing to listen. Joe is the father of eight children: Theresa (Alex) Leiphon of Crary, ND; Dorothy (Joe) Berghoff of Minneapolis, MN; Mary (Cloyd) Kittilson of Minot, ND; Jerome Scholand of Hillsboro, ND; Paul (Lucy) Scholand of Ypsilanti, MI; Don (Mary) Scholand of Memphis, TN; and Colette (Randy) Smith of Hillsboro, ND. Before retirement Joe was active in Boy Scouts, VFW and the Knights of Columbus. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Clare; seven children; twenty grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by one son, John. VISITATION: 6-7 PM Friday, December 26, 2008 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro ? and also one hour prior to the service in the church on Saturday PRAYER SERVICE: 7 PM Friday at the church FUNERAL MASS: 11 AM Saturday, December 27, 2008 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro BURIAL: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery in Reynolds, ND (in the spring) Arrangements entrusted to the care of Wildeman Funeral Home in Hillsboro.