1929
Jean
2023
Jean R. Callahan
April 14, 1929 — May 14, 2023
Jean Leeby Callahan passed away peacefully on May 14, 2023, at Methodist Regional Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN, surrounded by her family.
Jean was born on April 14, 1929, in Fargo, to Ray and Irene Leeby. She spent most of her life in the Fargo-Moorhead area and very much enjoyed spending summers at the family cabin on Lake Melissa near Detroit Lakes.
Jean’s first job was working at her parent’s grocery store, Leeby’s Foods, in downtown Fargo. After graduating from Fargo High School, she attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where she received a BA in Journalism. While at UND, Jean was active in the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and enjoyed working for the college’s newspaper. At UND, she met the love of her life, Morrie Callahan, who she married in 1951.
After college, Jean and Morrie moved to Fargo, and subsequently Moorhead, and launched Morrie’s Pure Foods – first in a location near downtown Fargo, later moving to the Southside Shopping Center. Eventually, they took over Leeby’s Foods and managed both stores for several years, providing destinations for the many customers who appreciated their fresh-baked goods, well-stocked meat and produce departments, home delivery service, and the many ethnic and “health” foods not available elsewhere in the F-M area.
Jean and Morrie had two children, Brad and Kathy, both residing in the Twin Cities area today. Jean chose to become a stay-at-home mother and by all accounts, excelled in that role. She became active in her children’s activities, including serving on the Sharp School PTA and teaching Sunday School at the First Congregational Church in Moorhead.
Jean was also active in her community, serving in leadership roles in the Junior League, the League of Women Voters, and the PEO Sisterhood.
After her children were in college, Jean opened her own successful business, Morrie’s Mercantile, in the former Block 6 Building.
Jean welcomed into the family Mike Schmitz (Kathy’s husband), Joanna Callahan (Brad’s wife), and Stephanie Callahan (Ben’s wife). She deeply loved her grandchildren: Greta, Ben (Brad’s children), Talia, Charlie, Tessa (Kathy’s children), and her great-grandchildren: Morris (Greta’s son), Tilly (Tessa’s daughter) and Cecilia (Ben and Stephanie’s daughter).
Strong in her faith, Jean often reminded us that God has a better plan than what we’re imagining and that worrying is just a waste of time.
A memorial service will be held on July 15 at the Shoreham Chapel (24263 N Melissa Dr, Detroit Lakes, MN) at 2:00 p.m.
All are warmly invited.
Memorials can be sent to any of the following organizations:
Roger Maris Cancer Center; 820 4th St. N, Fargo, ND 58102
Lakes Melissa & Sallie Improvement Association; P.O Box 1003, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502
UND Alumni Association & Foundation; 3501 University Ave., Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202
First Lutheran Church; 619 Broadway N., Fargo, ND 58102
Jean was born on April 14, 1929, in Fargo, to Ray and Irene Leeby. She spent most of her life in the Fargo-Moorhead area and very much enjoyed spending summers at the family cabin on Lake Melissa near Detroit Lakes.
Jean’s first job was working at her parent’s grocery store, Leeby’s Foods, in downtown Fargo. After graduating from Fargo High School, she attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where she received a BA in Journalism. While at UND, Jean was active in the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and enjoyed working for the college’s newspaper. At UND, she met the love of her life, Morrie Callahan, who she married in 1951.
After college, Jean and Morrie moved to Fargo, and subsequently Moorhead, and launched Morrie’s Pure Foods – first in a location near downtown Fargo, later moving to the Southside Shopping Center. Eventually, they took over Leeby’s Foods and managed both stores for several years, providing destinations for the many customers who appreciated their fresh-baked goods, well-stocked meat and produce departments, home delivery service, and the many ethnic and “health” foods not available elsewhere in the F-M area.
Jean and Morrie had two children, Brad and Kathy, both residing in the Twin Cities area today. Jean chose to become a stay-at-home mother and by all accounts, excelled in that role. She became active in her children’s activities, including serving on the Sharp School PTA and teaching Sunday School at the First Congregational Church in Moorhead.
Jean was also active in her community, serving in leadership roles in the Junior League, the League of Women Voters, and the PEO Sisterhood.
After her children were in college, Jean opened her own successful business, Morrie’s Mercantile, in the former Block 6 Building.
Jean welcomed into the family Mike Schmitz (Kathy’s husband), Joanna Callahan (Brad’s wife), and Stephanie Callahan (Ben’s wife). She deeply loved her grandchildren: Greta, Ben (Brad’s children), Talia, Charlie, Tessa (Kathy’s children), and her great-grandchildren: Morris (Greta’s son), Tilly (Tessa’s daughter) and Cecilia (Ben and Stephanie’s daughter).
Strong in her faith, Jean often reminded us that God has a better plan than what we’re imagining and that worrying is just a waste of time.
A memorial service will be held on July 15 at the Shoreham Chapel (24263 N Melissa Dr, Detroit Lakes, MN) at 2:00 p.m.
All are warmly invited.
Memorials can be sent to any of the following organizations:
Roger Maris Cancer Center; 820 4th St. N, Fargo, ND 58102
Lakes Melissa & Sallie Improvement Association; P.O Box 1003, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502
UND Alumni Association & Foundation; 3501 University Ave., Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202
First Lutheran Church; 619 Broadway N., Fargo, ND 58102
To send flowers to the family in memory of Jean R. Callahan, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Shoreham Chapel
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