Lillian Callenbach

Lillian Callenbach, 98, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2007, under the care of Hospice of Kansas City in Shawnee, Kansas. Lillian Carolyn Turek was born July 7, 1909, in Milwaukee, WI, the youngest child of Victor and Anastasie (Hana) Turek. She was educated in the Milwaukee schools and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. She taught school for one year before eloping with John Anton Callenbach to Crown Point, IN, on December 27, 1933. The young couple moved to Virginia and later, back to Madison where John finished graduate school. Their oldest daughter, Carolyn, was born in Madison. After John’s graduate studies, they moved to Moscow, ID, and Bozeman, MT. Daughter, Stella Kristine, and son, John Corrie, were born in Bozeman. In 1953, the family moved to Fargo and resided at 606 9th Street South, until 2001. Lillian was very involved in the activities of NDAC/ NDSU. She was a member of the NDSU Women’s Club and bowled on the faculty wives bowling team. She served as an advisor to NDSU Mortar Board and was an alumni volunteer for Delta Zeta sorority. She was a member of Fargo Fine Arts Club and St. Lukes (now MeritCare) Auxiliary She thoroughly enjoyed and took great pride in her Auxiliary volunteer work and her role as coordinator of the Candy Stripe program. She logged thousands of hours volunteering. Lillian and John loved to attend activities of their grandchildren, good plays and musical productions; playing bridge, camping, and travel (they made it to all 50 states). They built a home at Acorn Lake near Frazee, MN, and later purchased a condo in Boynton Beach, Florida, to be near Lillian’s sisters, Libbie and Eleanor. In 1950, Lillian was baptized at St James Episcopal Church, Bozeman. She and John later joined Fargo First United Methodist Church. She was a strong supporter of the music program at the church. Lillian is survived by her daughter Carolyn (Gilbert), Fargo, ND, and son John C. (Largo), Mission, KS. There are eight grandchildren, John (Cindy) Nelson, West Fargo, ND; Paul (Beth Laffey) Nelson, Rochester, NY; Karla (Duane) Erlandson, Ham Lake, MN; Corrie (Jennifer) Callenbach, San Jose, CA; Carlton (Anne) Callenbach, Mission, KS; Karl (Cindy) Knudson, Salem, OR; Kaarin Knudson, Eugene, OR; Bjorn (Toni) Knudson, Apple Valley, MN. There are also 12 great grandchildren, Adam Nelson; Maeve, Isaac and Fiona Nelson; Elle, Luke, Ryan, Aaron and Jocelyn Erlandson; Owen Callenbach; Nadia Knudson and Lillian Knudson. Her husband; daughter, Kristine; parents and five siblings preceded her in death. Memorials are suggested to Kris Knudson Scholarship of the FM Area Music Club, Trollwood Performing Arts School or charity of choice. Service of remembrance will be Saturday, January 19, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Fargo, ND. Private committal will be held at Riverside Cemetery.