Lenora Rogers

Services for Mrs. Lenora Rogers, 87, of Mitchell, South Dakota, formerly of Canadian, TX, will be at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at the Hughs Funeral Home Memorial Chapel with David Young, officiating. Burial will follow in Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Hughs Funeral Home of Canadian, Texas. Mrs. Rogers passed away Saturday, December 18, 2010 in Mitchell, South Dakota. She was born on January 5, 1923 in McClusky, North Dakota to Henry and Alvina (Seibel) Mathis. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Lipscomb, Texas where Lenora attended school and graduated from high school. She married Willard Harrell of Follett, Texas on January 5, 1942 at Shattuck, Oklahoma. Following Willard’s time in the U. S. Army Air Corps in World War II, they lived on a farm near Follett, Texas. Two children were born to this union, Donald James in November, 1942 and Delmar Jay in November 1943. In 1951, the family moved to Miller, SD. They lived there until 1963, spending the summers custom combining throughout the Midwest. Lenora was well known for her steel guitar playing and singing and was a popular local entertainer during these years. She also gave guitar lessons to many of the area youth. During the winter months, card playing was a favorite family activity with friends throughout the area. In 1963, Willard and Lenora moved to Canadian, Texas where they operated the Monarch Cleaners for a number of years, eventually assuming operation of the Tip Top Cleaners, which had been run by Lenora’s mother for many years. Lenora was an active member of the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church, working with Children’s Church for many years. She continued her guitar playing and teaching and thoroughly enjoyed sharing her music with others. She was uniquely interested in the history of the area, and was an active member and contributor to the Lipscomb and Canadian museums. Following Willard’s death in 1995, Lenora was a loving caregiver for her mother, Alvina until her death in 1998. In September of 1999, she married Robert Rogers of Canadian and the two enjoyed musical and historical events, particularly the outdoor dance pavilion in Lipscomb. Following Robert’s death, Lenora moved to Mitchell, South Dakota to be near family. She lived at Cathedral Square Apartments, where she enjoyed the friendship and activities provided there. Mrs. Rogers is survived by two sons, Donald and wife Carol of Mitchell and Delmar and wife Sherris of Portland, Oregon; five grandchildren, Angela Luczak and husband Frank, Mitchell, South Dakota; Gregory Harrell and wife Jody, Ft. Collins, Colorado; and Anthony Harrell and wife, Kendra, St. Mary’s, Georgia; Monte Harrell and wife Caryn, Happy Valley, Oregon; Brian Harrell and wife Megan, Sherwood, Oregon; and 14 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Willard and Robert, her parents and brother, and two grandchildren.