SHERIDAN -- A graveside service for Vera Elizabeth Schonenbach, 83, will be held at the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, with the Rev. Ron Stolcis officiating.
She died on Friday, Nov. 24, 2006, at the Sheridan Manor.
Born Feb. 4, 1923, in Sheridan to John and Grace Foster of Clearmont, she graduated from Sheridan High School in 1940.
She took Normal Training to become a teacher and taught two years, first at Murphy Gulch near Clearmont and then near Birney, Mont.
In 1944 during World War II, she enlisted in the WAVES. After boot camp in Bronx, N.Y., she helped decode Japanese messages in Washington, D.C. She was discharged in May 1946.
She met John Schonenbach while working at the Bones Brother's Dude Ranch at Birney.
On Dec. 19, 1946, they married at the Holy Name Parish House in Sheridan. They lived on a ranch near Ashland, Mont., jointly owned by him and his brother. They bought his brother's interest in the ranch in 1949. They lived on the ranch until 1969 when they retired to Sheridan.
While living near Ashland, she was a member of the St. Labre Altar and Rosary Society, Sweet Rocket Garden Club, Ashland Homemakers and Custer Forest Club. In Sheridan, she was a member of the Holy Name Council of Catholic Women, Sheridan County Homemakers and the Sheridan African Violet Club. She was chairwoman for the Heritage Book published by the Sheridan County Homemakers. In 1993, she was chosen for the Sheridan County's Quealy member, a Wyoming honor for homemakers.
Her interests included raising flowers, sewing, embroidery work, taking pictures and attending family gatherings.
Survivors include her brother Ralph and his wife of Clearmont; sisters Helen Harbel, and Lula Reeves and her husband of Sheridan; three children, Gene and his wife of Parkman, Shirley Schonenbach of Wasilla, Alaska, and Ron and his wife of Juneau, Alaska; two grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; and brother Keith.
Memorials may be made to the Sheridan Senior Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan.
Casper Star-Tribune - November 27, 2006