Carolyn Joyce Koeser Smith, 91, of Williston, ND passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Bethel Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Williston, ND.

Carolyn was born on February 6, 1935 in Watford City, ND, to Edwin and Lillian (Veeder) Koeser. She graduated from Watford City High School in 1953 and went on to earn a teaching degree from Minot State Teachers College. Her first and last position was at Cherry School, in rural Watford City. After meeting Jim while traveling on the train, they married on June 1, 1955.

Carolyn grew up on the farm and one of her most memorable stories was of when she was chased by a cow, fell down and the cow jumped over her.

Jim and Carolyn lived in Tucson, AZ, while Jim completed his enlistment in the Air Force, later moving to Watford City, and Fargo before settling in Williston. She worked for 5 years for the ASC government department and Ag Stabilizer Center. During an oil boom in the 70s, Carolyn started the Message Center, a telephone answering service which she ran for 30 years. Later, she and Jim along with her brother Ward, founded Kotana Communications.

Carolyn always said she didn’t have any hobbies, but all who knew her knew of her passion for rummage sales. Finding baby and children’s clothing, along with books were her main focus. She carried a list of the shoe and clothing sizes of family and friends in her purse. Often she bought items “just in case” she heard of someone needing them.

Carolyn and Jim were charter members of the Wesleyan Church, now New Hope Church. They worked tirelessly to promote and increase their outreach and membership.

She is survived by daughters, Candyce (L. Blaine) Miller of Crosby, ND, Chari (Jon) Schnaidt of Colorado Springs, CO; son, James of Williston, ND; grandchildren, Tara (Kurt) Wharton) Miller of Scottsdale, AZ, Jarret (Kelly Sheaffer) Miller of Conshohocken, PA, Christopher (Ceci) Schnaidt of Minot, ND; great-grandchildren, Lennan and Ellion Wharton of Scottsdale, AZ; sister, Ardyce Sickler of Bismarck, ND; brothers, Ward (Joetta) Koeser of Williston, ND, Mark (Janice) Koeser of Watford City, ND; numerous nieces and nephews.

Carolyn is preceded by her husband, James; parents, Edwin and Lillian Koeser; sisters and brothers-in-law, Janice (Dale) Harvey and Doreen (Steve) Hexom, Gary Sickler