Joseph and rjorie Schallenberger

Funeral Services for Joe Schallenberger, 98, and Marjorie Schallenberger, 90, of Ekalaka, MT, will be 2:00 p. m. Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at the Congregational Church in Ekalaka, MT with Pastor Wallace Fox officiating. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Beaver Lodge Cemetery at Ekalaka. A Prayer Service will be 7:00 p. m. Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at the Congregational Church in Ekalaka. Joe passed away Wednesday, February 28, 2007, and Marjorie passed away Thursday, March 1, 2007 at Dahl Memorial Healthcare Nursing Home in Ekalaka, MT. Joseph John Schallenberger was born on September 9, 1908, the son of Frank and Nellie (Cooper) Schallenberger. He moved with his parents as a young boy to the Schallenberger homestead 7 miles west of Ekalaka. Joe began schooling at the Common Country School later coming into town for high school. Joe graduated Valedictorian of his class in 1927. After his schooling, he continued to work with his father on the family homestead. Marjorie Opal Powell was born on November 20, 1916, the daughter of James and Effie (Oberlin) Powell. She grew up and attended rural country school and later Carter County High School where she graduated in 1934. Marjorie and Joseph were united in marriage on September 14, 1935, in Belle Fourche, SD. Together they have made Carter County their home where they raised their family. Joe and Marj returned to the Schallenberger homestead and began farming with his father. In 1956, Joe moved his family into Ekalaka where Joe and Marj purchased the Midway Motel, which they operated until 1979. During this time, Joe served as the Carter County Assessor as well as agent for the Farmers Insurance Agency, which he managed for 23 years. Marj was very busy raising the family and was active in the Rebecca?s, Rhodora Garden Club and the Town and Country Extension Club. Joe and Marj were both very active in the Congregational Church. Marj worked in the church and served as an officer for over 25 years. Joe served on various boards in the church for over 30 years. They were very proud and enjoyed all of the church gatherings and functions. Joe also was a volunteer fireman for many years, served as secretary and sexton of the I. O. O. F. Cemetery for 30 years and was a lifetime member of the Odd Fellows. Together they enjoyed a lifetime of gardening, canning, growing flowers and making crafts. In their younger years, the whole family would enjoy hunting and fishing trips. Joe hunted in every season since a license had to be purchased. After retirement, Joe enjoyed greeting, care giving and looking after the Stevenson Funeral Home in Ekalaka for the last 30 years. Joe and Marj especially loved and enjoyed their children, grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren. They loved to attend the different sports events over the years. Their devotion to each other after 71 years ended less than one day apart on February 28 and March 1, 2007. Survivors include: a son, Gary (Nita) Schallenberger, Ekalaka, MT; four daughters: Betty Smith, Havre, MT; Wauneita (Ed) Kane, Aztec, NM, Linda (Nolan) Pottorff, Rapid City, SD and Gail (Charlie) Brence, Ekalaka, MT; 15 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; Joe?s sister, Etola Cook, Billings, MT; and Marj?s sister, Maxine Lilletvedt, Torrington, WY;They were preceded in death by both of their parents; Joe?s brothers, Floyd and Clyde; his sister Mildred Robinson; Marj?s step-father Orra Strain; her brother, Harry Powell; a son-in-law, Don Smith, a grandson, Keith Smith and a great-grandson Zachary O?Neill. Memorials are preferred for Dahl Memorial Nursing Home, Ekalaka Fire Department or Ekalaka EMT?s.


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Burial Date: March 7, 2007
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT

Funeral: Wednesday, Congregational Church, Ekalaka