Jean Smestad

Jean Audrey Smestad was born July 2nd, 1934, in Alvarado, MN to Carl Teie and Marie (Christensen) Teie. Jean passed peacefully surrounded by family on July 31st, 2025. A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Hatton. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Residing in rural Hatton, ND, Jean was an avid painter, worked with ceramics, a CNA and a devout Lutheran. She married Stanley Smestad, November 18th, 1951, and together they had 5 children, the first passed after birth. Jean was part of the Hatton Ladies Aid for many years. Devoting time to her church, she made many quilts to be given to those in need. When it came to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she exuded unconditional love and affection. Playing games, arts and crafts, walks down to the creek, bike rides, baking, etc, she always made time for everyone and made life fun for the kids.

A phenomenal wife, mother and grandmother, Jean always put everyone’s needs ahead of her own. Even in her darkest days of her health battles, if you were ok, she was ok. Blessed be the memory of Jean Smestad.

Jean is survived by her beloved husband, Stanley, children: Terry Smestad, Kim Smestad and June Sanda, sister Cynthia Soliah, grandchildren: Erik (Beth) Smestad, Amy (Bert) Kirchen, Heather Joslin, Madeline (Zac Swalley) Smestad, Jessica Sanda, great-grandchildren: Keira Kalenze, Talia Kalenze, Olivia (Dane Durbin) Halvorson, Ella Halvorson, Kyle Kirchen, Alan Joslin, McKenzie Kirchen, Jackson Joslin, Alexander Halvorson, Charlotte Swalley, Jaylyn Kirchen, Cody Kirchen and great-great-grandson, Onyx Durbin.

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings: Carl Teie, Donald Teie, Arlan Teie and Mary Greenwood, children Baby Terry and Anthony Smestad and granddaughter, Melissa Halvorson.