Leallen H. “Lea” Shawback, 84
Leallen H. “Lea” Shawback, 84, of Austin, died on Jan. 2, 2009, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home surrounded by his family.
He was born July 7, 1924, near Waltham, Minn., the son of Henry W. and Gitta L. (Gilbertson) Shawback. He attended school in the Waltham and Sargeant area. He served in the Navy in World War II. On March 2, 1951, he was united in marriage to Gladys Elaine Kruger in Hayfield, Minnesota. To this union four children were born. Lea worked in the dry sausage department of Hormel Foods for thirty six years. He was a member of Crane Community Chapel, where he served as an usher and was a member of the men’s fellowship. Lea loved to bowl. He taught many family members his love of bowling, while being a dedicated member of the Austin Men’s Bowling Association. During his bowling career he was known to be one of the top senior bowlers of Austin. His greatest accomplishment was a near perfect game of “297”.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys Shawback, Austin; son, James (Mary) Shawback, Rochester; daughters, Linda (Mike) Miller, Austin and Sue Shawback, Waltham; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Carol Decker, Austin; six brothers, Johnny Shawback, Oronoco, Merv Shawback and Art (Lavonne) Shawback all of Austin, Henry (Bonnie) Shawback, Jr. and Leslie (Cathy) Shawback all of Blooming Prairie and Ray (Phyllis) Shawback, Manvel, Texas; sister-in-law, Evie Shawback of Owatonna; brother and sister-in-law, Ken (Bonnie) Kruger, Silver Bay; sister-in-law, Linda (Bob) Dowd, Galesburg, Ill. and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; brother, Joey; sister, Marion; brother-in-laws, Chuck Kruger and Palmer Holtan and sister-in-law, Amy Holtan.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at Crane Community Chapel with Pastor Dale Christianson officiating. Interment is at Fairview Cemetery near Hayfield, with military honors by VFW Post 1216 and American Legion Post 91. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Worlein Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.