Delores Schellhammer
Delores A. Schellhammer, 92, of rural Lansing died Wednesday, November 18, 2020 following a brief illness. A private graveside service was held at Lansing Ridge Cemetery in consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks that you make donations to the Seventh Day Adventist Church or Veteran’s Memorial Hospital, both in Waukon.
Delores Agnes (Shogren) Schellhammer was born March 18, 1928 at the rural home of her parents, Alden LeRoy and Agnes Victoria (Erickson) Shogren, in the Village Creek area of Center Township. She attended Center #3 rural school located adjacent to her family farm. Delores took the Normal Training curriculum at Waukon High School and graduated in 1948. She taught school at Center #3 from 1949-1951.
Delores married Harlan C. Schellhammer August 8, 1950 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Harlan and Delores rented and eventually purchased the Milton Carlson farm on Ahlstrom Hollow Road in Center Township. The Schellhammer dairy farming operation continued beyond Harlan and Delores’s retirement with their son, Larry, and grandson, John, until August of 2018.
She also worked as a dietary aide for 22 years at Thornton Manor in Lansing. Delores cherished the friendships she made with her “kitchen girls” and fellow employees and remained friends long after her retirement. Delores was extremely content to live her entire adult life on the farm in the same house on Ahlstrom Hollow Drive.
Delores was an active lifelong member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, first at Village Creek and then in Waukon. She played the piano and generally helped out wherever she could. Her world famous potato salad was always requested and appreciated at church potlucks. Delores had a true, abiding, and strong faith life. She read her Bible every single day as is evident by the worn out and well-loved pages. She loved reading about Jesus and singing hymns to Him. In the last days of her life, she listened, tapped her hand, and sang as best she could every word to most all the classic old hymns and Christmas carols that were played in her hospital room.
Through the years, Delores enjoyed raising a large garden. She canned vegetables, made freezer corn and made jars and jars of applesauce from the apples on her tree. Delores sincerely loved people and welcomed them into her home with joy and warmth. She was a great cook and baker who shared a meal or “treat” with anyone who visited, whether planned or unplanned. “What can I pass you?” and “We don’t want leftovers!” were part of her standard table conversation.
Delores loved playing card games, working puzzles, doing embroidery projects and watching Polka Joe and Molly B Saturday nights. She was as efficient at milking cows as she was at cooking a delicious dinner. She always had time for a good chat, lending a hand, and praying for others. She loved her God. She loved her family. She loved her friends. She enjoyed life.
Delores is survived by her sons: Lynn (Sylvia) Schellhammer of Indianapolis, IN and Larry (Cindy) Schellhammer of Lansing; her grandchildren: John Schellhammer of Lansing and Leah (Tony) Runyan of Cedar Falls; a step-great-granddaughter, Olivia Runyan; and a sister-in-law, Judy Shogren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Delores was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harlan; and her brothers: Kenneth (Lorraine) Shogren, Gene (Joyce) Shogren and LaVerne Shogren.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
