Drzycimski-Shellum, Eileen June (1923-2014)

DRZYCIMSKI-SHELLUM, THEELER, CHRISTENSEN, SMITH

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/31/2014 at 11:58:32

Eileen June Drzycimski-Shellum
March 1, 1923 - October 4, 2014

Eileen June Drzycimski Shellum, a daughter of John Edward (Jack) and Ona Grace Theeler Drzycimski, was born on March 1, 1923, in Linn Grove, Iowa. She, with her brothers Kenneth (Bud) and Jerry, grew up on farms in the Linn Grove and Peterson areas. In 1940, she graduated from Linn Grove High School and then continued her education at The American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated with a degree in bookkeeping and secretarial work.

Eileen worked at the Home State Bank in Royal, Iowa, until she married Leonard Christensen of Royal in June of 1942. They farmed in the Brooke and Peterson areas until 1958 when they moved to Sioux Rapids. Six children were born to Eileen and Leonard: Patricia, Ronald and Donald (the twins), Joyce, Gary, and Richard.

Eileen worked for Thomas Thomas, Inc., an insurance firm in Spencer for many years, having moved there in 1962. In 1964, she married Merrill Smith of Spencer and moved to a farm south of Jackson, Minnesota. There, she worked for the Jackson Vocational School for over twenty years, eventually becoming the office manager, a position she held until she retired in 1988. Then, she and Merrill spent their winters in Texas. In 1998, however, Merrill passed away.

In 2002, Eileen married Lester Shellum of New Ulm, a community she came to enjoy. She and Les had many wonderful experiences and made many friends and memories wintering in Arizona.

Throughout her life, Eileen actively participated in her church and community. Indeed, she held several offices at the various churches she joined.

Eileen could light up most any room. She is remembered as a vibrant and dynamic woman with a beautiful smile and exuberant laugh. Family and friends brought her great joy, and she loved to gather them together around her table for large meals, lively talk, and laughter.

Eileen, also, treasured RV camping, fishing trips with friends, and traveling; road trips gave her a reason to enjoy coffee and pie along the way. Rarely, did she sit still. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing cards (especially 500 and Pinochle), and most of all, dancing. In fact, she clearly did out-polka the guests at her own wedding reception twelve years ago.

Eileen loved to have fun; she loved to laugh; and she loved people.

She is survived by her husband, Lester, of New Ulm, Minnesota; her six children, Pat/Larry, of Webb, Iowa, Ronald/Peggy, of Seneca, Missouri, Don/Dorene, of St. George, Utah, Joyce, of Billings, Montana, Gary/Gilda, of Portland, Oregon, and Richard/Kathy, of Troutdale, Oregon; and her sister-in-law, Shirley Drzycimski, of Storm Lake, Iowa; as well as by eleven grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.

VISITATION: 10:00 A.M. with the service beginning at 11:00 A.M. A Memorial/Public Gathering for friends and family will also be held at 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. on October 9, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Peterson, Iowa.
SERVICES: Memorial Services will be held on October 8, 2014, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minnesota, Rev. Grant Bode officiating.
INTERMENT: Oakland Cemetery, Peterson, Iowa .

Copyright © 2014, Warner Funeral Home, Peterson, Iowa

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