Madge Power • 1906 - 2003

Madge E. Power, 96, Minot, died Tuesday, March 19, 2003, in a Minot nursing care facility.

Madge was born on April 5, 1906, in Herman, MN, the daughter of Paul S. and Isabelle M. (MacKenzie) Goodell. She was raised and educated in the Herman area and graduated from Herman High School. She moved to Minneapolis, MN, and went to work for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. She became a supervisor for the company. She later worked for the Farm Credit Administration in St. Paul, MN.

She married John A. Robbins in 1930. The marriage was later dissolved. She married Rudolph J. Schestler in 1937 in Mason City, IA. He died in June of 1940. She moved back to the Twin Cities, and during World War II, worked for Federal Cartridge Company in Minneapolis, which manufactured materials utilized by the U.S. Army. She also worked at General Mills Corporation in Minneapolis. She married Dr. Leon G. Power, of Minot, on November 24, 1945, in Minneapolis. Following their marriage, they move to Minot, ND. She started the AL-MA Shop, a fabric and drapery store, in partnership with Bert and Alice Van De Streek. They operated the store from 1956 through 1974. Leon died on January 15, 1965. Madge retired in 1974, and continued to live in Minot until the time of her death.

Madge was a member for over 57 years of Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot, and in recent years, had worked at the church bazaars. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star for over 70 years, was a past worthy matron and a star point Esther. She had been affiliated with the Shrine Auxiliary, was a mother advisor to the Order of Rainbow, and a member of the TTT Sewing Club and Bridge Club, all of Minot.

Survivors: daughter, Margaret A. Balerud and husband Paul, North Platte, NE; son, R. Jon Schestler and wife Sharon, Minot; step-son, Leon G. Power, Ft. Worth, TX; 10 grandchildren, David Balerud, Dillion, Co, Bruce Balerud, Kearney, NE, Laurie Balerud, Greeley, CO, Peter (Carol) Balerud, Columbus, NE, Helen (James) Massey, Minot, Charles (Pam) Schestler, Burlington, ND, Andrew (Katherine) Schestler, Boise, ID, Leonard Schestler, Minot, Jennifer (Clint) Bergan, Burlington, and Sarah (Lyn) Penn, Valdosta, GA; 21 great-grandchildren, Audrey and Jack Balerud, Sean, Megan and Molly Balerud, Katie, Beth and Nicholas Balerud, James and Christopher Massey, Kristofer, Trista, Austin and Dylan Schestler, Shane and Curtis Schestler, Benjamin Schestler, and Andrew and Alexis and Ashlyn Bergan, Hanna Penn and one future great-grandchild due in August; one niece, Mary Carroll, Minneapolis, MN; two great nieces, Trisha and Tara Carroll, Minneapolis. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, one sister, Flora Mae Berkmoes; and two brothers, Kenneth and Paul Goodell.

Funeral Service: Thursday, March 27, 2003, 11:00 a.m., at Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.

Prayer Service: Wednesday, March 26, 2003, 7:30 pm at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Visitation: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Officiant: Rev. William Bates

Eulogists: Helen Massey, Andrew Schestler and Mary Carroll

Music: Processional Hymn: "Climb Every Mountain"
Solos: "Beyond The Sunset"
and "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Recessional Hymn: "Hymn of Promise"
Hardy Lieberg, vocalist, Arlyce Nylander, organist

Active Pall Bearers: David Balerud, Bruce Balerud, Peter Balerud, Charles Schestler, Andrew Schestler, Leonard Schestler, James Massey, Lynly Penn, Clint Bergan

Honorary Bearers: Madge's relatives and many friends in the Minot community

Honor Guard and Presentation: Order of Eastern Star

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