Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/844173
Summer 2017 — www.ncsf.com 23 St. Bernadette Court 1041, Abbotsford, WI Members of Court 1041 visited a local assisted living center to present the Perpetual Mass Enrollment award to resident Mary Ellen Resech (second from left). Following Mass, Fr. Peter Manikam joined court members Anne Teska, Mary Writz, and Carol Reichersamer in congratulating Mary Ellen for her 78 years of membership. St. Bernadette Court 1041, Abbotsford, WI Judy Morrow (l), House Coordinator of House of Mercy in Loyal, WI recently received a donation of $750 from St. Bernadette Court 1041. Court member Cindy Gosar (r) presented the check. Judy expressed joy and gratitude for the very generous assistance. Madison Diocesan Association, WI St. Mary Court 1241 of Fenimore, WI hosted the Madison Diocesan meeting. Above l-r, Margaret Sprague of Court 1241 presented the ReLiEF check to Lori Ballwegm from the Office of Vocations. Milestone Birthday! St. Mary Court 998, Rudolph, WI Leona Shirek, born in 1912, celebrated her 105th birthday last March! She "is a very sharp lady for 105 years" writes Court President Sylvia Weiler. Leona has been a member of the Foresters since she was 20 years old. Leona grew up as the oldest of 12 children, and by the age of 12 could sew, clean, cook, and bake; she often helped out with her younger brothers and sisters. She remembers going from candle to electricity and from horses to automobiles! In the 1920's, when most girls didn't go beyond elementary and middle school, Leona worked hard to earn a high school degree and then on to teacher prep to become a teacher herself. Leona taught in one-room rural schools for 17 years before marrying in 1940. At that time she quit her career because school boards would not hire a married teacher. Leona and her husband were blessed with two boys. When World War II put many women into the workforce, Leona too came back to teaching. Leona continued to teach until her retirement, and then became a substitute teacher, doing her last job at the age of 83! Leona loves music and dancing, a love that she passed on to her boys. Leona and her husband would frequently go to Langs Ballroom (now Sherri- land Ballroom) to dance; their young boys would sit close to the stage to watch the musicians and 'choose' the instrument they would play as adults. Religion is a constant in Leona and her family's life; church every Sunday, holy day, and holiday. Today Leona lives in the house she had shared with her loving husband, makes many of her own meals, feeds the birds, weeds the garden, enjoys canning, and still gets to church every week. Happy Birthday Leona! Leona Shirek, seated, is surrounded by members of her family. Standing are her granddaughter Annie Wisner, her son Bob Shirek and great-grandsons Trey and Jackson Wisner. (Photo: Courtesy of Bob Shirek)