Crocuses blooming on a beautiful spring day announced the arrival of Betty Schock as she entered her final home. Betty is now with her beloved husband in Heaven, where the devoted couple resides with two of their sons. Betty, 85, died of a massive heart attack while in Billings seeking medical attention on May 5, 2011.
Because Montana was the frontier, Betty’s mother returned to Fayette, Iowa for the birth of her daughter. Mary Elizabeth Kelly was born to Lissettia and Lewis Clair Kelly on June 12, 1925. She acquired the name Betty in early childhood. Vida has always been home to Betty.
After graduating from Circle High School, Betty married Gottlieb (Gubby) G. Schock, Jr. For more than 57 years they lived and worked together in loving devotion to each other developing the successful Schock Farm. Betty was the supporter and helpmate behind the scenes getting things done. Whether it was running tractor, milking cows, delivering calves, moving machinery, taking dinner out to the field, Betty had it done before it was even asked. Love for her family was expressed in everyday living; cooking, sewing, tutoring, playing was always done with her children foremost in her thoughts. As her children grew and left home, Betty’s heart enfolded her growing family with love. Grandchildren received their blankets, Raggedy Ann dolls and Sock Monkeys from Grandma. Betty fulfilled her goal to attend all grandchildren’s graduations and weddings. Throughout the years Betty’s gardening skills resulted in a bountiful harvest showcased with sparkling jars filled with the fruits of her labor. Her garden produce was generously shared with her extended family. Betty took pride in her yard and garden–the grass had to be cut just so, and the weeds had to be pulled by the proper method! Betty’s baking abilities are legendary. At nearly every function Betty attended, she always appeared with cookies, a baked casserole, buns, or some other delicious goodie in hand. Cinnamon rolls were barely cool before they disappeared, and a countless number of buns supplemented many a community feast.
Betty’s generous spirit was a testimony to her Christian faith. Her unwavering spiritual devotion to God and her belief in Jesus Christ not only guided her daily life, it was definitely evident with church activities, from Sunday School to policy making to holding office in the American Baptist Women. Many residents of the Vida community have memories of Betty Schock as their Bible School teacher (and her molasses cookies!) Grandma Betty has not taught Bible classes for many years, but she still knew every child and made sure she got her hug every Sunday. Betty was also active in the Vida Homemakers Club, was a 4-H leader, and contributed greatly to the McCone County Senior Citizen Center. She was an active participant for the Council on Aging, and in 1988 Betty was recognized as Senior Citizen of the Year. If anything needed done, baked, or organized; everyone knew to contact Betty. Betty thoroughly enjoyed being a part of any community activity. As she shifted out of high gear in the last few years, she still found time to fulfill those orders of Raggedy Ann dolls and Sock Monkeys. When she wasn’t snowed in on the farm Betty enjoyed social events at Vida and in Circle. And during those snowy days she kept busy knitting. Nothing works better than one of those dishrags Betty knitted.
Betty is survived by daughters Marie (Noel) Fujimura, Jan (Bob) Kloss, her son, Leonard (Judy) Schock, and grandchildren, Jennifer, Warren, Elaine, Trevor, Charlie, Barry, Jodi, Annette, and Jeff, and great grandchildren, Austin, Kaitlyn, Jessica, Nathan, Jordan, Nicole, Kelvin, Kameron, and Cullen. Betty is also survived by her brother, Ivan, and three sisters, Rita (Don) Nelson, Joan (Gene) Garpestad , and Jean Kvande.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Gubby; her sons, Ronald and Larry; her parents (Lewis Clair and Lissettia); and brothers, Jack, Robert, and Francis.
A family service will be held 7 p.m. Monday, May 9th at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 also at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the Vida Cemetery.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.