Lenora Whelchel

Lenora Whelchel, 79, Sydney, ND died Early Thursday morning December 26, 2013 at her home in Sydney.

Lenora Henke was born May 16, 1934 on the farm in Fredonia, ND, the daughter of Fred Henke and Hanna (Schnieder) Henke. She received her elementary education at the local school and grew to womanhood in the vicinity.

She and Donald Whelchel were married October 26, 1974 at Jamestown, ND. They made their home in Jamestown until 1988 when they moved to a farm near Sydney. After the death of her husband in January of 2010, she continued to reside in Sydney.

She faithfully attended the First Baptist Church. She owned the Little Jim's Café in Jamestown where she met her husband Don. They later started Northside Grocery until selling it and purchasing the Gackle Grocery Store. She operated the store until her retirement in 2008. She loved to cook and do gardening and canning.

She is survived by her children, Virginia (Jeff) Brown, Jamestown ND; Wallace Wiest, Fargo, ND; MariAnn (Troy) Letcher, Jamestown, ND; Dennis (Eva) Wiest Jamestown, ND; Ronald (Twila) Whelchel, Esbon, KS; Kathy Fairbanks, Sedgewick, KS; 17 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 3 brothers, Wilfred Henke; Art Henke, both of Jamestown, ND; Melvin Henke, AZ; and 1 half brother, Delbert Henke, Nortonville, ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents and step mother; husband; 1 son, Steven; 1 stepson, Don, 2 brothers, Verjane; Fred and 2 step brothers, Duwayne Eckman and Marvin Eckman.

Funeral Service - 10:30 AM Tuesday December 31, 2013 at the Haut Funeral chapel in Jamestown, ND with Pastor Wayne Bangs, officiating

Visitation: 9 -7 Monday December 30 at the funeral home.