Blanche F. Schuler, 97, died of natural causes at Billings’ TenderNest Assisted Living early July 5, 2020. She had lived from January 2017 until this June in Aspen Meadows, also in Billings. Born north of Hinsdale October 18, 1922, to Charles and Florence (Williamson) Britsch, Blanche was the youngest of three. Her parents and siblings, Earl Britsch, Hinsdale, and Mary (Britsch) Reding, California, preceded her in death.
Blanche married Bruce R. Schuler June 29, 1939, in Wolf Point. The couple lived in Los Angeles and San Francisco early in their marriage. They spent, however, the majority of their lives in Hinsdale. She served as bookkeeper for the Farmers Union Oil and Supply (with husband as her boss) for a majority of her work years. She also was employed at the Cenex and Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow.
They were the parents of three daughters: Mary Irene (Hank) Mason, Ohio; Carol(Ed) Damm, Billings; and Vickie (Terry) Cariveau, Lakeside. She was proud, also, of her nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, and three nieces and three nephews, trying always to keep abreast of their lives.
Active in the community she loved, Blanche was a Life Member of the Hinsdale American Legion Auxiliary, the Hinsdale United Methodist Church and Women’s Circle, and the Senior Citizens, serving as treasurer.
She was fond of gardening, both vegetables and flowers; hunting; sewing; and even a bit of carpentry. With her sharp memory, Blanche was relied upon for furnishing history information and stories to both locals and out of towners alike. The Pioneer Museum in Glasgow often referred researchers to her. One of those resulted in her being cited as a contributor to Jane Lambert’s CHARLIE RUSSELL, THE COWBOY YEARS. She was also recognized statewide for her poem “The Silent Message of the Poppy.”
Of utmost importance to Blanche was RESPECT–for family, friends, creatures, community, country. She knew no stranger, always being able to find some common ground. She was the last surviving “mom” for the HHS classes of 1958 and 1963, the years her two older daughters were graduated. As a lifelong learner, when her vision failed, she attended a several-week workshop in Helena to learn methods of coping with that.
Blanche loved living in her own home and so it was with reluctance when she moved to Billings early 2017. Soon, though, she found a new circle of friends, but especially loved the visits, phone calls, and notes from her beloved Valley county friends. At Aspen, she and a “sighted” friend would enjoy working crossword puzzles and jumbles together. She also loved verbal games, songs, and humor!
When the pandemic “lockdown” forced such a solitary life upon this extrovert, Blanche relied on window and phone visits that were difficult. One or all gathered outside the window daily sang with her on the inside, also singing. Her favorites were “Jesus Loves Me,” “You Are My Sunshine,” “Home on the Range,” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” which provided her with some PT and giggles all the way around. She also continued to excel with the word games.
Besides her parents and siblings, she was preceded in death by her husband in August 1988, son-in-law Hank, and grandson, Kenneth Damm.
Should anyone desire, memorials in her name may be made to the Hinsdale Hillview Cemetery, Hinsdale United Methodist Church, Hinsdale Ambulance Fund, Hinsdale Legion Auxiliary, or Pioneer Museum in Glasgow. She was firm in support of local-area giving.
Family receives friends for Blanche Schuler will take place at Bell Mortuary, Glasgow, July 9, 5 to 7 pm. Her funeral will be Friday, July 10, at the Hinsdale American Legion Hall at 10:30 am, with burial following in Hinsdale Hillview Cemetery. A reception in her honor will be held at the Hall following the service and burial, social distancing requested.
We will all miss her.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday July 9, 2020
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Ave. So.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Friday July 10, 2020
Willie Nelson American Legion Post 45
Hinsdale, Montana
Luncheon
12:00 p.m.
Friday July 10, 2020
Willy Nelson Legion Hall Post 45
HInsdale, Montana
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday July 9, 2020
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Ave. So.
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Friday July 10, 2020
Willie Nelson American Legion Post 45
Hinsdale, Montana
Luncheon
12:00 p.m.
Friday July 10, 2020
Willy Nelson Legion Hall Post 45
HInsdale, Montana
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Walt & Marian Frost says
Irene, Carol & Vickie.
We am so sorry of the passing of your loving Mother. Blanche was one of the most kindest people that we have ever known. Besides being a next door neighbor and co-worker with her for many years, she was always there whenever needed. Our three children, Robert, Ron & Diane truley adored her dearly. They also send their condolances. Her dedication to the community, her church including all those who had contact with her, will be surley missed.
May she now Rest in Piece with her beloved husband Bruce and all her friends and reletives who have departed before her.
Kelly & Judy Jones says
Blanche will be missed by so many. She was always willing to go, do and help. One time we stopped at her place on our way to Sidney and while having a cookie and drink, I saw a plastic spoon wrapped in gingham with a chocolate kiss and a lovely saying. She said she had gotten it at a wedding. She gave it to me so I could copy it for our wedding. What a lovely lady she was.