Gary Dean Schauer, 59, was born to Jennie Wilson Schauer and Richard McVay on December 1, 1954. Our beloved brother, uncle, father, cousin and friend was called home by the Lord on June 14, 2014 at Billings Clinic Hospital in Billings, Montana.
Gary lived most of his life in Wolf Point and attended public school in Wolf Point and later at Busby, MT. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1972 where he served as Armament Repairman. He received the National Defense Service Medal before being honorably discharged in 1975.
In 1974 Gary’s life was changed forever by a car-train accident he was involved in. Gary’s injuries were so severe that he died four times before being resuscitated. The accident left him with permanent injuries, but the memories of the accident were never far from his mind, even forty years later, and he often talked about that experience – especially how the perseverance of his sister, Beverly, and mother was responsible for reviving him when it seemed like his life had ended. Gary also shared that it was due to the encouragement of a dear friend, Darlene Johnson, who helped him regain his confidence in himself following his hospitalization.
Gary had one daughter, Cassandra, who resides in resides in Los Angeles, California. Cassie was the light of his life and was always in his thoughts and conversation up to his last moments.
Gary found his greatest happiness working on cars. He began working many years ago at Green’s Salvage Yard and worked there until his hospitalization in April. He loved the time he spent at the yard and treasured the friends he had there. Following his heart attack, Gary went to stay with his brother and sister-in-law, Lannie and Kathy Deserly, in Helena, MT to rest and recuperate, but he soon grew homesick and impatient to go back to Wolf Point and to the yard. When asked if there was anything he needed to feel better, he would always joke, “Yeah, I need a one way bus ticket to Wolf Point!” Besides getting back to work, Gary was anxious to get back to his favorite spots in town – the Wolf Point Café and McDonald’s, where he loved to socialize with friends.
As other medical complications developed, Gary was hospitalized for a short time at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena before being transferred to Billings Clinic. Throughout all the ups and downs of his health challenges, Gary never lost his sense of humor. He continued to joke and tease with the medical staff and with his family and friends no matter how sick he was feeling.
As the end grew near, Gary was happiest when family and friends were with him, either in person or by phone. His brother, Lannie, and sister, Beverly, were with him throughout his last week. Several nephews were able visit Gary during his hospitalizations – Marty Reum, Bob Schauer, Joseph Schauer (and his mother Toni Jansen) and Matt Deserly and family. When Gary’s family and friends called him on the phone (Cassandra Schauer, Tom Green, Patsy Jansen, Kelly Siljenberg, Richard Comes Last, Sam Reum, Marcus Reum, Danny Lindsay, Dorita Morin, Donita King, Linda Sepko and Raquel ‘Rocky’ Maguire) Gary’s eyes lit up and he got a big smile on his face. He knew each and every person was supporting him and praying for his recovery.
Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Jennie Schauer, brothers Robert Schauer (infant), Joseph Deserly, Daniel ‘Boone’ Schauer, Alexander ‘Junior’ Schauer, Raymond Schauer, Vernon Schauer, sister, Aleta Schauer.
Gary is survived by his daughter Cassandra Schauer, Los Angeles; brother, Lannie (Kathy) Deserly and sister, Helena, MT; Beverly Buckley, Browning, MT; cousins Clayton (Donna) Reum, Sam Reum, all of Wolf Point; cousin Velma Hawes, St. Anthony, ID; and numerous nephews, nieces and relatives locally and throughout the country. He was dearly loved and will be missed so much by all of his family and friends.
The family wishes to give special thanks and acknowledge the friendship and support provided to Gary for many years by Mr. Tom Green, and Patsy Jansen. Special thanks to nephew, Roger (Norina) Fisher, for help in getting his mother to Gary’s bedside. Thank you to many people who have assisted during this time: Sadie Hamilton and Stella Reum, Norma Dionne, Lorraine Adams, Rita Weeks and Ronnie Jackson ; David Boyd, Commander, American Legion Post 61 for assistance with Gary’s veterans affairs and donation of a star quilt.
A special thanks is also extended to the medical/nursing staff at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT and the Billings Clinic in Billings, MT for the kindness and care provided to Gary throughout his hospitalizations over the past two months.
A wake will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Wolf Point Community Hall. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. at Clayton Stevenson Chapel on Wednesday, June 18 officiated by Pastor Danny Lindsay. Interment will be at the Prairie Chicken Hill Cemetery west of Wolf Point. Thank you to everyone who has helped in any way if have neglected to mention your name. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.claytonstevensonchapel.com.