Harriet Vivian Shellum, Janesville, WI  (1919 - 2013)

January 22, 1919 - January 28, 2013
Harriet Vivian Shellum, age 94, of Janesville, WI, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, at Cedar Crest Health Care Center, in Janesville. Harriet was born in Barney, ND, on Jan. 22, 1919, one of six children, three daughters and three sons, of George and Amy Hedner, Scandinavian pioneers. She lived and worked on the family dairy farm, graduated from high school and attended the North Dakota School of Science. Harriet met her future husband, Alford C. Shellum, in Wahpeton, ND, where they married in 1940. Harriet stayed in Wahpeton while Alford served as an infantry officer in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Following the war, Harriet accompanied Alford and their growing family to military posts in Fort Meade, MD; Bamberg, Germany; Oshkosh, WI; Sendai, Japan; Fort Benning, GA; and Seoul, Korea. Harriet and Alford retired from the military and, with their five children, moved to Faribault, MN. Later they resided in Albuquerque, NM; Mesa, AZ; and finally in Janesville. Harriet was a dedicated military wife, as well as creative, sharp-witted and indefatigable. She supervised 27 family and household moves, in each location maintaining a comfortable, nurturing home environment for the family. No matter what the assignment, foreign or domestic, she encouraged thrift and family unity. Over the years, Harriet showed her skill as a household organizer, a seamstress, a singer in the church choir and an accomplished cook. Harriet and Alford moved to Cedar Crest in 2002. Alford died in September 2005.
Harriet is survived by her daughters, Karen Winn of Janesville, and Rolynn (Steven) Anderson of Anacortes, WA; her sons: Steven Shellum of Portland, OR, Brian (Paula DeMuth) Shellum of Alexandria, VA, and Colin (Kris) Shellum of Gainesville, VA; one brother, Vernon Hedner; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Alford, Harriet was predeceased by her granddaughter, Kristin Shellum; and her son-in-law, Robert Winn.
Harriet's family extends their sincere thanks to the staff at Cedar Crest and to the staff at Agrace Hospice for their care and kindness.
A memorial service will be held at Noon on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 612 N. Randall St., Janesville, with Pastor Naomi Garber officiating. There will be no visitation. Burial will be at a later date at Milton Lawns Memorial Park, Janesville. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, www.parkinson.org or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 or www.michaeljfox.org. The family is being assisted by BRIAN HANSEN FUNERAL SERVICE, Janesville. Online condolences may be made at www.hansenfh.com.