Luella M Reisenburg

Luella May Reisenburg, passed away on June 16, 2008, at ManorCare Health Services in Fargo, North Dakota. Born in Colgate Township, Steele County, North Dakota to Henry and Hattie (Schoeppach) Boettcher, Luella graduated from high school as Valedictorian in Colgate, ND in 1933 and went on to attend Moorhead State Teachers College in Moorhead, Minnesota and then Valley City State Teacher’s College in Valley, City, North Dakota, graduating as an honor student from their Standard curriculum. Luella married Wesley E. Reisenburg in June 1937, living in Pocatello, Idaho; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Hope, North Dakota; and finally Colgate Township from 1951 until a few months before her death. Luella worked for many years as a secretary in Idaho, leaving that position to help Wes when he went into business for himself…owning the Falls Typewriter Co., an office machines and supply store in Idaho Falls. They sold the store and returned to the Colgate area to farm when Luella’s father retired. Luella went back to work at the courthouse in Finley in 1955 and was Deputy County Superintendent of Schools for twenty years. The Order of Eastern Star was a major part of Luella’s life. She held an office at both the Hope Fidelity Chapter and Finley chapters every year since she was initiated in September 1952. She served as Grand Worthy Matron for the state of North Dakota 1977-78. She also served as president of the Hope Past Matrons’ Club. As WGM, she sponsored a fly & cruise trip to the Caribbean Islands and South America where 44 members from North Dakota (9 from Hope) visited 6 ports of call. At the end of her year as WGM, a reception in Hope was held in her honor with 400 attending. Luella was the longest and oldest living member of the First Presbyterian Church of Colgate where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as well as serving as church treasurer, Deacon, and Elder. She was also active in the Colgate Presbyterian Women and a Bible study group. Luella was a volunteer for the American Red Cross and served in various capacities in the Steele County Chapter. In November 1999, she was honored for 45 years of service. Luella enjoyed many hobbies throughout her long life—fly fishing for trout, travel, letter-writing, reading, making jams and jellies for gifts, canning and freezing, and history. Luella will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her community, and the many organizations on behalf of which she served in countless ways. Her parents, sister Verona Johnson, and husband Wesley preceded Luella in death. Luella is survived by her sisters-in-law Marjorie Schoeppach and Phyllis (Gordon) Bacon. Luella is also survived by nephews Duane (Pat) Schoeppach, John (Karen) Schoeppach, Roger (Nancy) Schoeppach, Robert (Carol) Bacon, Ronald (Debra) Bacon, Dr. Joel (Carol) Bacon, Roy (Jeanette) Reisenburg, Mark (Katherine) Reisenburg, as well as nieces Barbara (David) Kling, Kristi York, and Sheryl (Hank) Jensen as well as several grand nieces and nephews. She was a member of a large extended family of close friends and neighbors who ensured that she was safe in her home on her Colgate farm in the years after Wesley’s death. There are no words that can express our thanks for those in the Colgate community that cared so much for her…especially, Ralph & Melanie Mewes, Ray & Barbara Mewes, Randy & Jeanne Mewes, and Anita & Tom Erickson. Thanks also goes to the staff at ManorCare Health Services in Fargo for the wonderful care and support that Luella received these last few months. A very special thank you to her doctor, Dr. Walter S. Johnson of Fargo. Visitation will be at Lindsey-Carlson Funeral Home of Page, North Dakota on Wednesday, June 25, from 6 to 7 pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 26 at the First Presbyterian Church in Colgate, at 2 pm. Arrangements for the funeral service and visitation are through Lindsey-Carlson Funeral Home of Page, North Dakota. Memorials may be given to the building fund for the First Presbyterian Church of Colgate; the Steele County chapter of the American Red Cross; or to any charity of your choice in remembrance of the strong values of church and community that Luella held close to her heart.