Meet Your Neighbor
Born in Moab, Utah , and raised in the quaint town of Wilsonville, Neb., Lenora Schilz grew up accustomed to the true meaning of neighborly hospitality.
Her mother and father owned a farm and a small family operated café named after the town. The life of a farmer’s child was demanding.
“We were busy literally twenty-four and seven; mowing, moving hay, we even got to drive at a really young age,” Schilz said.
Schilz has three sisters and four brothers. She attended Wilsonville High School where her entire senior class consisted of 10 people. A friendly and warm-hearted people person, she was nominated homecoming queen of her high school and graduated in the class of 1974.
Schilz went on to McCook Junior College where she pursued a degree in political science. To this day, she still possesses a passion for government and follows politics avidly.
She admires former United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher because she “…stuck by her principles [and] she was a very strong woman.”
While in college, Schilz was introduced through friends to her husband, Mike Schilz, who was pursuing a degree in medical technology. The two married in 1976. Fast-forward 33 blissful years, and the Schilz’ are happily married with two successful children: Justin Schilz, a Marine air traffic controller for the Department of Defense; and Jael Jones, a deputy clerk for juvenile court in Bristol, Tenn. They also have two grandchildren, Marshall and Brylee.
Lenora Schilz enjoys sewing and baking and is known for her coconut crème pies. Living in Crestview since she left North Carolina, she thoroughly enjoys the town.
“It is just a friendly place,” she said of the town she has grown to love.
“Meet Your Neighbor” highlights area residents and is a new feature that will run periodically in the Crestview News Bulletin. If you have someone you would like to see featured in “Meet Your Neighbor,” e-mail News Bulletin Editor Michael Stewart at michaels@crestviewbulletin.com.
