Edith Jean Lawrence Schillinger went to be with her Lord on June 15, 2008 after a long and wonderful life. She was born July 6, 1922 at Mrs. Porter’s house in Richey, MT to Preston and Elise Bergstrom Lawrence. She was the youngest of four children and spent her childhood during the depression on a farm near Richey, riding horse to herd their sheep and milk cows. After graduating from Richey High School she attended Billings Business College. Her first job was a bank in Wibaux then she moved to Great Falls where she worked as a bookkeeper at Deaconess Hospital. Going to dances was always a favorite pastime as a young woman and even in her later years. On her last night she even boogied to the music of her Granddaughter’s Ipod.
She married Robert Messenger of Great Falls after WWII and together they had three “baby boomers;” Janet, Gary and Steven. Years later, after moving back to Richey, she married Clair Schillinger, a Vida area farmer.
They were the proud parents of Debra, Angela, Jaron and Lisa. Edith loved the farm and resided there until recently when her health dictated otherwise. She was all about family and devoted her time to her children’s and grandchildren’s activities during their school years and beyond; attending sporting events, music performances and, of course, rodeo, which she followed to the end.
Mom followed none of the rules of “A Prayer for Later Years” and continued to express an opinion on most every subject. The advice she unselfishly gave to her children and grandchildren was not always taken, but it will be with them forever.
Surviving her are her children: Janet (Arlo) Jensen of Hysham; Gary (Joyce) Messenger of Rapid City, SD; Debbie (Jiggs) Wolff of Circle, MT; Angie (Ed) Lockwood of Volborg, MT; Jaron (Sandy) Schillinger of Circle; Lisa (Grady) Lockhart of Oelrichs, SD; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren who knew her as Grandma Farmer; and a sister-in-law, Leola Van Atta, formerly of Vida, MT, currently of Billings.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Clair; a son, Steven; a grandson, Kel Jensen; a granddaughter, Damara Messenger; her sister, Kay Turnquist; and brothers, Mallory and Harold Lawrence.
A Visitation will be held Sunday, June 22, 2008 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Circle, Montana starting at 5:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Her Funeral Service will be Monday, June 23, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church with Father Thomas as celebrant. A private inurnment will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the charity of choice or McCone County Health Center.
Condolences may be sent to the family at csmc@nemontel.net or www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.
Good night, Irene
I’ll see you in my dreams.