Eddie and Leona

    Leona was born and raised in the Glyndon, Minnesota, area. She attended school through 8th grade at School District No. 102, a country school 9 miles south of Glyndon.
    We remember Mom telling the story of one of her birthdays, maybe 11 or 12. They all had chores to do that day as usual. Mom remembers telling her dad that she wasn't going to work that day. Grandpa asked her "why not?" Mom said "because it's my birthday." Grandpa then took her over his knee and gave her a spanking and said, "There, now you've had your birthday. Now get to work." Mom used to tell that story and then laugh about it. We heard that story many times.
    Leona worked at several domestic jobs in her teen years after leaving home. She kept house for one of the Kost brothers in Downer, Minnesota who was part owner of Kost Brothers Concrete.
    On May 2, 1931 Leona married Ed Schellack at the Sabin Trinity Lutheran Church parsonage. Leona was attended by her sister, Selma (Peggy) and Ed's brother, Otto was best man. They were the first couple to be married in Clay County under the new Minnesota 5-day wait period. (See article following.)
    Leona and Ed then lived on the second farm that Ed's parents, Fred and Bertha Schellack, had purchased. They built a new house on that farm in about 1941. Leona's two sons, Richard and Gaylord, were born in the old house, as was the custom in those days. Lowell was born in a hospital in Moorhead, Minnesota. The first baby, a boy, that was born to Leona died the same day of delivery.
    Leona was very involved with her church. Trinity Lutheran is a Missouri Synod Congregation, a German Lutheran Church. Leona was active in bible study and ladies groups within the church. She made sure that her boys went to Sunday School every Sunday. And she made sure they had their lessons done. Yes, they had homework to do for Sunday School in those days. She also guided the boys through confirmation, making sure they had transportation to and from church on Saturday mornings. Leona had an unwavering faith in her God all through her life.
    It was always hard work on the farm, but especially so at harvest time. When the threshing crew came to the Schellack farm, Leona was busy making sure that everyone got plenty to eat. There was morning lunch, noon meal in the house (dinner), afternoon lunch, and evening meal (supper) for some workers, other than family. The men burned a lot of calories in those days.
    Potato harvest was another very busy time. Again, meals for everyone was in order. In addition to cooking for everyone, Leona even found time to go to the field and pick potatoes for a few hours each day.
    Leona made sure that her boys got a good education. All 3 boys went to School District 102, the same country school where Leona went. When Richard graduated from 8th grade in 1946, it was common for students to discontinue their education. Leona was insistent that Richard attend Glyndon High School, nine miles away. There wasn't any school bus service past the farm and Richard had to walk or catch a ride nearly 2 miles to catch the bus. Gaylord and Lowell then attended high school at Glyndon too. Leona wanted her boys to get a good start in life.
    Leona and Ed continued to operate the farm until 1971, when they retired from farming. They continued to live in the farm house and rent the farm land to neighbors. They were then able to spend more time visiting grandchildren and traveling.
    When Ed died April 17, 1987 Leona stayed on the farm until fall. She then moved to Glyndon and rented an apartment in a four-plex. She lived there for several years and moved next to Dilworth and lived at the Heritage Villa, an assisted living home.
    Eventually she moved to Moorhead and spent her last years at Eventide, a Lutheran nursing home. Leona is affectionately and fondly remembered by family and friends.