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: http://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.