Willis Earl Schellberg:
June 10, 1925 to March 8, 2017
Willis Earl Schellberg, 91, graduated to God’s Kingdom the morning of March 8, 2017 surrounded by his five children and five grandchildren in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Willis was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He joined the U.S. Navy during his senior year in high school. Upon graduation he entered active duty in July of 1943 and was assigned to the USS Chauncey (DD 667) in the Pacific Fleet where he served through the end of World War II.
Afterward Willis completed a Bachelor’s of Science degree in architecture at Iowa State University. Upon graduation he and a classmate established The Architectural Design Group (ADG) with offices in Rochester, MN and Forest City, IA.
Willis married Jurine Fjare of Ames, IA on September 1, 1956 and together they raised five children. He enjoyed projects at home, being outdoors camping, hiking and family vacations. As in his professional life, at home he was a patient husband and teacher.
Over the course of his career, ADG grew to employ as many as 50 people and designed and supervised the construction of dozens of churches, countless residences and housing projects throughout Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and one as far away as Alaska. Willis retired as the president of ADG in 1990.
Willis is survived by his five children and their spouses; Jenifer (Michael) Paneral, Bruce (Carrie), Steven (Michelle), James (Krislyn), Beth (Mark) Kirchhoff; ten grandchildren Zachary, Jared, Adam, Rachel, Teodor, Benjamin, Teodora, Andrew, Matthew, Kristen.
Willis was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Jurine, his parents Otto and Clara, brothers Robert, Donald and sister Ruth.
Whether designing buildings, involved in the church, business community, or volunteering Willis was constantly engaged in improving the lives and spaces of those around him. He truly enjoyed being involved in projects of community, not for compensation but because he believed that it was his responsibility. Willis was a true member of the Greatest Generation, with a clear vision of a better world and a never tiring drive to engage in improving the lives of his family, friends and society as a whole. Our love for him is everlasting.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service was held at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 1 p.m. A reception followed at the church.
An additional Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hovland this summer.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials go to Trinity Lutheran Church, where Willis and Jurine were members and worshipped when they were on their beloved North Shore. Memorials will be used for the project Willis invested much time and interest in, the “Restore, Renew, Rejoice” effort at Trinity to add a greater gathering space, pastoral study, church office area, and bathroom. Memorials may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 188, Hovland, MN 55606.
Leave a Reply