LaVerne Schelske

LaVerne Reuben Schelske, 85, of Jamestown, ND, passed away early Sunday morning, January 22, 2023 in his home.

LaVerne was born March 30, 1937 in Paris Township near Woodworth, the son of Reuben & Ann (Swadberg) Schelske. He grew up and worked on the family farm, also known as the Schelske Peony farm. He went to a one room school house and later attended Sheyenne River Academy for a short time. LaVerne was drafted into the army in 1961 and honorably discharged later that same year. He started work as a painter in Jamestown where he met the love of his life, Marjorie Sailer. They were united in marriage in June of 1963 and made their home in Jamestown, Courtenay and then, after retirement, Jamestown again. LaVerne worked as a mechanic, and later, as parts manager at Lloyd’s Motors. In 1966 he joined the staff at The Jamestown Sun where he continued to work for 23 years. In 1989, LaVerne started work at the North Dakota State Hospital - Jamestown in various departments until his retirement in 2006.

LaVerne enjoyed many years as a novice ham radio operator. Meeting people from all over the world fascinated him. LaVerne was a proud member of the Jamestown Seventh-Day Adventist Church and took great pride in caring for the church, along with Margie, including lawn maintenance. He also enjoyed playing his guitar and singing. He was an avid reader and spent over 30 years studying about healthful living and maintaining a proper diet for optimum health, of which, he would share with anyone who would listen about living healthfully. LaVerne loved nature and taking pictures of everything. He was a talker and he would talk to anyone he would meet around town. Although LaVerne didn’t graduate from high school he proudly achieved a perfect score when testing for the GED in 1988.

LaVerne is survived by his wife (of almost 60 years), Margie, daughter, Doreen Decker, son Tim (Pam) Schelske, daughter Michelle (Jerrod) Ellenson; grandchildren, Aron Decker, Vivian Stephenson, Marcus, Jonathan & Evan Schelske, Riley Ellenson and great-granddaughter Lexus Schelske. Brother Del Allmendinger, Brother-In-Law Marlyn Sailer, Sisters-in-Law Mayda (Niles) Mueller, Yvonne Kleuver and Laura (Douglas) Anvik along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father & mother, Reuben & Ann Schelske, step-mother, Elma Schelske, brother, Ken Schelske, father & mother-in-law Jack & Lydia Sailer along with many brother & sisters-in-law and their spouses.