Joseph Keith Carik, Jr. was born May 11, 1940 at Svold, ND to Joseph and Lena (Rousseau) Carik. Joe graduated from Cavalier High School in 1958. He worked at the Cavalier Elevator, Mayo Construction, Solar Gas, and the State of North Dakota and Pembina County Highway Departments. Joe also worked for Aaland and Robbins Farms, for Bill Lage and Carik Bros.
Family and faith were a very important part of his life, especially the events his children and grandchildren were involved in. His grandchildren described him as their “Best Friend.” “Joe was a pied-piper” with animals, they all loved him. Other things he enjoyed were western music, sports, and antique farm equipment.
Every meal had the Catholic Blessing followed by “We thank you Lord, for family and friends and neighbors” and he did this sincerely every day.
On December 27, 1958, Joe married Deanna “DeeDee” Ault in Cavalier. He is survived by his children: Jodi and Scott Becker, Lori and Tim Sayler, Jay Carik and Sue Anderson, Robert “Bobby” and Marianne Carik, grandchildren: Amanda (Becker) and Daniel El-Dweek, David and Julia Sayler, Patrick Sayler, Ashlyn (Carik) and Colin Trottier, J.J. Carik, Christine Sayler, and Adam Sayler, Cadence Nantt, and Joshua Nantt, great-grandson, Sage Goodwin. Also surviving are his siblings: Alice Perpich, Walter Carik, Patrick Carik, Charlie (Lana) Carik, and his furry companion, Ella.
Preceding him in death were his wife, DeeDee, parents, Joseph and Lena, stepfather, Edwin Nelson, sister, Mary Lehnert, brother-in-law, Robert Perpich and sister-in-law, Vicky Carik.