Schellenberg, Alma Groening (1905-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Jul 16 p. 8

Birth date: 1905

text of obituary:

. . .

• Relatives here received word that Mrs. Alma Groening Schellenberg, 65, widow of Dr. T. R. Schellenberg, died July 10 at Broad Run, Va. Dr. Schellenberg died in January of this year. His wife was a native of the Hillsboro community and member of the Haymarket, Va. Baptist Church, where the funeral was conducted Tuesday afternoon. Survivors include two sons Dr. Paul Schellenberg of Richmond, Va. and Dr. Karl Schellenberg of Lutherville, Md.; two sisters, Mrs. Mart Friesen of Hillsboro and Mrs. Anna G. Bartel of Newton: and five brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Aug 20 p. 11

text of obituary:

MRS. ALMA SCHELLENBERG

Funeral services for Mrs. Alma Schellenberg were held July 14, 1970 at the Haymarket Baptist Church, Haymarket, Va. She died July 10, just six months after her husband, Theodore R. Schellenberg, who passed away Jan. 14, 1970.

Alma had been ill all last winter and spent some time in a Washington hospital. She died in a hospital in Richmond, Va., near where her son, Dr. Paul Schellenberg, practices medicine.

The passing of Ted and Alma closes a very active life in their church, community, and city. Those of Mennonite background enjoyed their friendship especially in the 40's and 50's when many Mennonites came to Washington, D. C. Their door was always open to everyone. In those years they lived in nearby Arlington, Va. Later they settled in their country home near Broad Run, Va.

Sometimes a newcomer from a Mennonite community was lonely or a bit discouraged, and Alma knew how to fortify this person with courage and the will to face the lonely life in a city. She would prepare traditional Mennonite food — Borscht, Pluma Mos [sic Moos], and occasionally Zwiebach. Sometimes singing of familiar hymns would help or she would bring out her quilts or braided rug or show her latest accomplishment of decorating her home.

Both Alma and Ted were like brother and sister to us and uncle and aunt to our children and grandchildren. The children enjoyed this country home which we called “The Schellenberg Farm.” It was a large spacious home with open space and lawn, a pond, and a vegetable garden. At one time there were also some farm animals, which were later sold and the barn became Ted’s tinker room. Ted enjoyed showing city folks what real living in the country is like.

Alma accompanied Ted on his lecture trips as archivist and when they returned from South America or Australia and other places they had interesting experiences to tell. They were real ambassadors to these countries and acquired friends there.

Two sons and their families are left to carry on the Schellenberg family: Dr. Paul, wife Rose Mary and two children, and Dr. Karl, wife Betty Jo and four children.

Alma and Ted have been laid to rest in the little Georgetown Cemetery at Thorofare Gap. Their passing has left us lonely but with rich memories. — Mrs. Louise S. Duerksen.