Laura Mina Schlenker, 70, of Adrian, North Dakota died at home August 13, 2004.
Laura was born on June 27, 1934 in Long Pine, Nebraska, the oldest daughter of Ivan and Gladys (Harris) Harlan. Laura attended country school in Rock County, Nebraska until her parents became traveling evangelists in Oregon and Idaho. During this time, she was home schooled. In 1943, her parents accepted a pastoral call for the Church of God Seventh Day in Alfred, North Dakota. Laura attended the Alfred and Jud schools for grades three through eight and Gackle High School. In 1950, the family moved to Arkansas to accept a new pastoral call and Laura graduated High School in Delaplaine, Arkansas in 1953.
Laura married Elroy Schlenker of Montpelier, North Dakota on June 7, 1953 in Alfred, ND. They settled on a farm near Montpelier where they farmed for six years. They moved to a farm south of Fredonia where they lived three years. Laura and Elroy purchased a farm two miles west of Adrian, ND in 1965.
Laura was a faithful member of the Church of God Seventh Day in Alfred, North Dakota. She committed her life to the Lord and was baptized in June 1946. She traveled, played piano, and sang with her parents for numerous evangelistic services. She participated in activities of the Church of God Seventh Day in Alfred and served in various committees and capacities. These included pianist, organist, youth director, the women's ministry, Bible school teacher and director. In 2003, Laura was honored for 50 years of dedicated service to music ministry. She was active in PTA, served as a 4-H leader, and belonged to two ladies clubs in the area. Laura sold Tupperware, bread machines, and shared in the responsibilities of farm life.
Laura enjoyed entertaining guests in her home. Her hobbies included cooking, baking, shopping, reading, ceramics, floral arranging, traveling, and, most importantly, having tea parties with her grandchildren. She enjoyed selecting and giving gifts to others. The grandchildren have fond memories of the many specialized birthday cakes.
She is survived by her husband, Elroy Schlenker; one daughter, Gaye Schlenker, Houston, Texas; and two sons, Gerry (Sandra) Schlenker, Sioux Falls, SD; Terry (Cathy) Schlenker, Montpelier, ND; a sister Cheryl (Harlan) Guard, Ritzville, Washington; and four brothers Ivan (Frankie) Harlan, Janesville, California; Keith (Avra) Harlan, Jamestown, California; James (Carolyn) Harlan, Angels Camp, California; Kenneth Harlan, Stockton, California, and a brother-in-law Ed Kilgore, Pocola, Oklahoma and twelve grandchildren.
Laura is preceded in death by infant son, Kevin; a sister Bonita Kilgore; and an infant sister and infant grandson.

A special thanks to Truman Brattelli for providing this obituary from (Jamestown Sun, August 16, 2004).