Jane Skjei

A livestream of the service will be shown here starting at about 1:45 PM Jane Skjei, 85, Fargo ND, passed away peacefully in her sleep in her home surrounded by family assisted by Hospice. Jane was born on Dec 7th 1935, in Devils Lake, ND to Russell Lowell Dushinske and Genevieve Iverson Dushinske. Jane graduated from Devils Lake High School, attended University of North Dakota and after a break to become united in marriage to Mark D. Skjei of Williston ND, and three sons while living in Grand Forks, Devils Lake and settling in Fargo, Jane continued her studies, graduating from North Dakota State University with a degree in history and teaching, teaching in Fargo Public Schools as a substitute teacher and in adult education. Jane was first a wife, homemaker and Mother, who became a passionate advocate and activist for women’s rights and contributed to local and national and good causes, including: Lutheran Social Services of ND, Assistant director of the TOUCH program, and first statewide coordinator of workshops to enable the non-handicapped to understand the needs of the handicapped. As a ND ERA board member, she was instrumental in the successful ND legislative ratification of the US Equal Rights Amendment and worked as a lobbyist with similar organizations in Oklahoma and DC. 1974-75 YWCA Board of Directors 1975-76 when it transitioned to a women's shelter. National Organization for Women – Red River Valley Chapter President 1975-76, State Coordinator 1979-80 TriCounty Women’s Speakers Bureau 1974-77, State IWY Committee Member 1977, Political Precinct Committee Person 1974-1978. Jane developed a passion for local history, becoming one of the early founders of the Fargo Genealogical Society, documenting her family history through travel to local family reunions and as far as Norway, twice – tracing back several generations. She volunteered at the NDSU Archives including being instrumental in creation of the county demographic databases first in Cass, then expanding to seven other counties. Jane’s Women’s Rights in ND Archives are donated to NDSU and are in use by new generations of young feminists. She is survived by Sons Kevin (Sharna), Carlsbad, CA, Mark David Jr (Nancy), Fargo ND, Lori Bellamare (her “daughter she always wanted” and first wife to son Joel); Grandchildren Katie, Jenny (David and Nancy), Richard (Joel), Daniel and Malena (Kevin and Sharna), great-grandchildren Parks and Rowan (Katie and Trevor). Jane was preceded in death by her parents, son Joel Thomas Skjei, sister Gail, and husband Mark. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 2PM on Monday, August 9t at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND, Pastor Mike Toomey of Hope Lutheran leading, with “open microphone” time offered and encouraged to all who would like to share how Jane touched their life, as her legacy is family, friends, and the community she served as her life’s work. In lieu of flowers or memorials, cash gifts preferred to Hospice of Red River Valley and the local animal shelter of your choice. To sign the online guestbook please visit www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.