Nellie Reukauf Mahlum, 86
Nellie Reukauf Mahlum, 86, of Kalispell died April 23, 2007, at Heritage Place. Nellie was born Dec. 1, 1920, in DeGrand, the sixth child of Arthur and Henrietta Reukauf.
She attended high school in Mount Hope, Wis., and Luana, Iowa, before returning to Terry to complete the last semester of her junior year, and her senior year. She was awarded a scholarship to Eastern Montana State Normal School in Billings and graduated with honors in 1940.
Nellie married Edwin P. Mahlum on May 1, 1943, in Missoula. They have resided in Flathead County since 1945, with the exception of two years on a farm in Wisconsin.
She returned to Eastern in 1946 and helped revise the state course of study in science under the supervision of Lillian Peterson, state supervisor of rural education. Mrs. Mahlum received her Life Certificate in education for grades one through 10 at that time. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern in 1967, and further credits from the University of Montana, the College of Great Falls, Northern Montana College at Havre, and Teachers' College in Cheney, Wash.
Mrs. Mahlum came to Flathead County in 1940 and began her 39-year teaching career at Deer Park School. She taught at Helena Flats, Marion, Bad Rock, and Batavia in Flathead County, as well as Pershing School in Prairie County, and Mount Hope State Graded School in Mt. Hope. The two latter schools she had attended as a pupil.
In 1957, she began her teaching career of 29 years at Evergreen School. She loved her pupils and the people of Evergreen, and when she retired in 1986, they honored her by awarding her the Evergreen Lions' Citizen of the Year award. Her fellow teachers also bestowed upon her their Big Apple Award.
Nellie was a charter member of Calvary Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school, Bible school and confirmation classes. She served on the church council and sang in the choir.
She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and served as registrar for many years. She was a life member of the Montana Education Association and the National Education Association and held offices in the local associations. She was a member of Montana Retired Senior Citizens' Association and Northwest Chapter of Retired Teachers.
Mrs. Mahlum was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Mahlum; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Reukauf; four sisters, Elaine Reukauf, Christine Smerke, Hazel Armstrong and Ruth Miller; and four brothers, Robert, Arthur, Walter and Bill Reukauf.
She is survived by one daughter, Ms. Sandy Glazier, of Kalispell; two sons, and their wives, Edwin and Joy Mahlum of Kalispell, and Peter and Gina Mahlum of Ferndale. She also is survived by six beloved grandsons, Jeffrey and Todd Glazier, and Daniel, David, Nicholas and Logan Mahlum; a beloved granddaughter, Chelsea Mahlum; two much loved great-grandsons, James Logan Mahlum and Dawson Scott Glazier; one sister, Mrs. Ann Mayne, of Mount Hope; one brother, John Reukauf, of Vale, Ore.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Nellie will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kurt Rau officiating. Burial will be at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be one hour before services.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Calvary Lutheran Church, 2200 U.S. 2 East, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Johnson Mortuary an Crematory is caring for Nellie's family.