A memorial service for Willis Earl Schellberg will take place on Sunday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hovland. Willis, at age 91, graduated to God’s Kingdom on March 8, 2017, surrounded by his family in Minneapolis. Willis and his wife Jurine, who died in 2013, knew Cook County and their Hovland cabin to be among their favorite places.
Willis was born June 10, 1925, and raised in Omaha, Neb. He joined the U.S. Navy during his senior year in high school, entering active duty in July 1943 and assigned to the USS Chauncey (DD 667) of the Pacific Fleet, where he served through the end of World War II. After the war, he completed a Bachelor 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 and Forest City, Iowa. Over the course of his career, Willis designed and directed the construction of churches, residences, and housing projects throughout Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Alaska. He retired as the president of ADG in 1990.
Willis married Jurine Fjare of Ames, Iowa, on Sept. 1, 1956, and together they raised five children. He is survived by his daughters, Jenifer (Michael) Paneral and Beth (Mark) Kirchhoff; his sons, Bruce (Carrie), Steven (Michelle), and James (Krislyn); and grandchildren, Zachary, Jared, Adam, Rachel, Teodor, Benjamin, Teodora, Andrew, Matthew and Kristen.
Willis was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Jurine; his parents, Otto and Clara; brothers Robert and Donald; and sister Ruth.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service was held at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and his Ecumen Seasons Apple Valley residence on Sunday, March 12.
Family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, where Willis and Jurine worshipped, and to help support the “Restore, Renew, Rejoice” gathering space, pastoral study, and church office area expansion. Memorials may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Leave a Reply