Gladys Lenora Moen Schonenbach, age 96, of Parkman, WY, formerly of Ashland, MT. passed very peacefully on November 19, 2019, at Westview Health Care Center in Sheridan, WY.
Gladys was born on September 6, 1923, in Sidney MT, to George and Lenora Moen, the first of seven children. Gladys went home with her parents to the Squaw Gap Area in ND. The family moved often until 1939; when, with 7 children now, they settled on a farm south of Wheelock.
Gladys, being the oldest, helped her Dad with outside chores gathering milk cows, milking, and caring for the horses and other animals. Gladys also helped her mother with the cooking and cleaning. Visiting neighbors, fun times at the Hovde grandparents, country dances, community picnics, baseball games & card parties were the activities of Gladys’s youth.
Gladys attended grade school at Riverview & Nesson; and on to Brooklyn High School, and Wheelock High School graduating in 1941 in a class of 3.
After graduation, Gladys attended Minot Teachers College earning a Teaching Certificate. She returned to the Wheelock area, and started her teaching career at Wonderlick School.
While teaching at Wonderlick, she met Raymond Schonenbach (the love of her life). After 4 years at Wonderlick, she gave up her position to marry Raymond.
Gladys and Raymond were married on October 22, 1946. Raymond quit working for his folks on the farm in ND and they moved to Montana; where they leased the Wesco place on Home Creek Divide east of Ashland, MT. Richard Dale (Ricky) joined the family in Sept of 1947.
Raymond’s folks sold their farm in ND and purchased the Smith Place on Otter Creek, SE of Ashland. Raymond, again, went to work for his folks so Gladys & Raymond moved to the Smith Place in 1948. During the next 7 years, Gladys and Raymond’s family grew with the arrival of Gloria and Rayetta. Gladys stayed busy as full-time housewife and mother. Ricky started school at Willow Crossing School. Halfway through that year, the teacher resigned, and Gladys was asked to teach the remainder of the year.
In 1955, Gladys & Raymond left Otter Creek to work for Randolph (Buster) Deibel at Olive, MT.
In 1956, Delbert Hanson came to visit and offered Raymond a ranch lease on East Fork of Otter Creek and Gladys a teaching position at the East Fork of Otter Creek School. They moved to the Ashland area, settling on the Mosgar Place. They remained there for 29 years. Gladys continued to teach at East Fork School for 4 years. She resigned her position in the spring of 1962 & Rosana Kay joined the family that December.
Gladys helped her children with 4-H projects, FFA & FHA projects. She was active in church activities, organizing picnics and hosting lots of family gatherings at their home.
Gladys resumed her teaching career in 1965 when she took a position at St. Labre Mission. She taught the Northern Cheyenne Indian children for 20 years; a position she dearly loved. During her time at St Labre, Gladys attended summer classes at Dickinson State in ND, and Dawson County College in Glendive and graduated from Eastern Montana College in the spring of 1972, thus completing her Bachelor of Science Degree in education.
In the Spring of 1985, Gladys & Raymond purchased a small place on Highway 212 near Red Shale Campground. In May, after 30+ years of teaching, Gladys retired.
Retirement years were spent gardening, tending her flowers, sewing, crocheting, & taking up quilting. She & Raymond enjoyed camping, fishing, & sitting on the back porch. Gladys loved writing letters, reading history books and traveling. They attended & hosted card parties & visited the neighbors. Gladys continued with her love of baking of pies, bread and awesome cinnamon rolls and cookies. They also enjoyed attending activities of the Fjell grandchildren in Miles City.
After 53 years together, & Raymond’s passing, Gladys made the move to Sheridan, WY; living near Rosana’s family while Son-in-law, Kit, built the Mother-in-law home that later adjoined the Henderson home. Gladys continued her cooking & baking skills and enjoyed following the Henderson grandchildren to their school activities
Gladys resided in Parkman “next door” to the Henderson’s until her health took her to Westview Health Care Center in Sheridan.
Gladys was a member of the Custer Forest Homemakers, St Labre Catholic Church, St Labre Alter Society, Ashland Garden Club, Montana Teachers Assn., and later St Edmond’s Catholic Church, CCW and Parkman Promoters.
Gladys is survived by daughters, Gloria, Rayetta (Dick) and Rosana (Kit); 8 grandchildren, Molly, Cynthia (Scott), Michael & Michelle Fjell, and Cody (Chelsea), Adam, Evan & Heidi Henderson. She is also survived by 5 great grandchildren, her sister, Joyce Lindsey, and brothers Orville (Kay) & Orrin (Mary Jean) Moen.
Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Ricky, 3 sisters, Neoma, Alida, & Irene & their husbands, brother-in-law, Chuck Lindsey, a niece & 4 nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Labre Mission. A Rosary will be held prior to the Mass at 9:00 a.m. at the St. Labre Mission. Rite of Committal will follow on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the Calvary Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to St Labre Parish, PO Box 228, Ashland, MT 59003; St Edmonds Building Fund, PO Box 217, Ranchester, WY 82839; or Charity of choice.
Service Schedule
Rosary Service
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Friday December 27, 2019
St. Labre Mission
Ashland, Montana
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Friday December 27, 2019
St. Labre Mission
Ashland, Montana
Service Schedule
Rosary Service
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Friday December 27, 2019
St. Labre Mission
Ashland, Montana
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Friday December 27, 2019
St. Labre Mission
Ashland, Montana
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Colleen Hopkins says
I had the privilege of working with Gladys while I was a teacher at St. Labre. She was the ultimate professional, yet more importantly, she was a kind, compassionate woman! Condolences to her family.
IOLA WOODENTHIGH says
MY MOST FAVORITE TEACHER…7TH GRADE IN 1982-83~ I’VE ALWAYS WONDERED ABOUT HER, I DIDNT KNOW WE SHARED THE SAME BIRTHDAY…NO WONDER SHE WAS MY FAVORITE~ LOL
CONDOLENCES TO HER FAMILY, YOUR A LUCKY FAMILY TO HAVE HAD HER FOR AS LONG AS YOU DID!
Patti (Green) Ireland says
My condolences to the family. Gladys was a wonderful neighbor in the Stacey community
Patti (Green) Ireland
Colleen Beckman says
My condolences to all Gladys family. She was my teacher at the Ashland country school and a wonderful friend to my family. I remember when I was in first or second grade, I had the chicken pocks she stopped by to see how I was doing ,I hide under a cabinet so she couldn’t see my face!! Lol Such a kind and compassionate person! Miss you !
Jackie Walden says
Gloria, Rayetta and Rosana, such a sad day got you and your families. Your mom will always be my favorite first grade teacher at East Fork! Love and hugs to each of you.
Brenda Hopkins says
So sorry for you loss, my thoughts are with you. I met Gladys years ago when I came to visit from Glendive with your aunt Alida and cousin Andy. She was such a sweet lady.
Patricia Houseman says
So sorry for the loss of Gladys. I have been friends for years with all of you. Gloria, Rayetta, Rosanna and the rest of the family. You are all in my prayers. Gladys was such a neat person.
Ann Seidl Haley says
Gladys was a fun and kind person as well as one of my favorite teachers at St. Labre. I remember staying over night with the girls once in a while out at their place and had some good old country fun…..I am so glad that she had a long and fruitful life. Sending my heartfelt condolences to the girls, Rayetta, Gloria and Rosanna and their families.
Bert & Helen Woods says
To all of Gladys’ Family, So sorry for your loss. Gladys was always such a nice lady.
Donna Wick says
Condolences to the family of Mrs. Schonenbach, she was a great teacher.
Wanda Bixby says
Condolences to you girls and families what a beautiful lady inside and out always with a smile and lovely conversations may God guide you through this difficult time hugs and prayers
Kathy Widdicombe says
Gladys was the reason I became a teacher. I admired her caring way and I will miss her. God got a special Angel when he took Gladys. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely Kathy Widdicombe & family
Cherie KeBlanc says
Sending big hugs and prayers to the family. A very sad day to lose a mom, grandma, sister, aunt. Reading the comments sounds like she was a remarkable teacher and she was the favorite to many. God Bless.
Deb Cady says
Such a awesome and beautiful lady. She was such an amazing teacher. Prayers and hugs to family. 🙏
Jay and Deb Terrett says
Jay and I send our love and prayers….what an amazing woman your mother was. It was always a pleasure to see her when we went to Mass in Ashland. She was a ray of sunshine and she is sending her “light” to you all now! Blessings for God’s peace and comfort in your sorrow!
Lillian Ostendorf says
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mom and grandma.
Glad I got to see you and give you a hug Rayetta.
Our sincerest condolences.
Tom and Lillian
glenn tallwhiteman says
Condolences to the family of Mrs.Schonenbach. She was one of my favorite middle school teachers.