Funeral Service for Lillian M. Karch-Schelske, 96, of Baker will be 10:00 a. m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at First Baptist Church in Baker, MT with Pastor Levi Durfey officiating. Interment will follow in the Family lot in Bonnievale Cemetery at Baker. Visitation will be 6:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. on Monday, August 8th at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Lillian passed away on Friday, August 5, 2011 at the Fallon County Medical Nursing Home in Baker. Lillian Martha Schelske was born on February 3, 1915, a daughter of Henry and Amelia (Gottschalk) Schell in Cotterel, ID. At the age of 3, Lillian?s family moved to the Lame Jones area in Southwest Fallon County. A few years later, the Schell family moved to Oregon eventually returning to Montana living in the ?South Valley? area in southern Richland and northern Dawson counties. After attending Bible College in Minneapolis, MN Lillian moved to Baker where she worked for Dr. Tarbox. It was during this time she would meet Charles J Karch. On October 11, 1936, Lillian and Charles were married at the Baptist Church in Plevna, MT. Following their marriage, they made their home on the Draper place west of Baker and eventually purchased the Kneasel farm north of Green Acres. Lillian kept busy raising her children and helping Charlie with the farming and ranching. In 1963 Lillian and Charlie built a new home in Baker where they lived until Charlie?s death in 1981. Following Charlie?s death, Lillian lived in Baker five more years before moving to Glendive. While living in Baker Lillian met Ervin E. Schelske of Glendive. Lillian and Ervin had much in common including the loss of their spouses. As their friendship grew so did their love for each other. On October 11, 1986, Lillian and Ervin were married in Miles City, MT. Following their marriage, they made their home in Glendive where they enjoyed their time together with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lillian loved her family dearly. Lillian enjoyed sewing, cooking, raising a garden and canning. On Sunday mornings before going to church, she made sure she had plenty of chicken in the oven and potatoes pealed for a good Sunday dinner. Most of the time she didn?t know who would be their guest but someone from the church was sure to have their appetite taken care of! Lillian enjoyed reading her Bible and was looking forward to seeing her Lord and Savior. Lillian is survived by her children, Arnold Charles (Dorothy) Karch, Bozeman, MT, Janice Anne Wolenetz, Baker, MT, Bonnie Jane Newberry, Baker, MT, James Marvin (Marlene) Karch, Baker, MT, Marilyn Daphne (Robert) Losing, Baker, MT, Sandra Naomi (Kel) Henry, Mitchell, SD and Sharon Helen (Dennis) Erickson, Baker, MT; 19 grandchildren, Daniel (Edwina) Karch, Robert (Lenore) Karch, Kenneth (Shelli) Wolenetz, Randal (Rabecca) Wolenetz, Jeffrey (Kerri) Wolenetz, Trenna (Rocky) Whitson, Toni (Bill) Wilson, Douglas Newberry, Chad (Lisa) Karch, Lori (Jay) Quinzer, Treena (Doug) Mizell, Kevin Losing, LeAnn Losing, Jason (Darbie) Karch, Dana (Marvel) Karch, Clinton Erickson, Colette (Shawn) Wang, Ryan (Amber) Erickson and Darin Erickson; 36 great-grandchildren; 2 step-children, Ron (Donna) Schelske, Helena, MT and Darlene (Paul) Wolleat, Shoreview, MN; 2 sisters, Lora Larson, Denver, CO and Margaret (Bill) Klempel, Thornton, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Amelia Schell, her two husbands, Charles Karch and Ervin Schelske, her two brothers, Henry and David Schell, two sisters, Esther Schell in infancy and Ruth DePoy, two son-in-laws, Melvin Wolenetz and Norris Newberry and two grandsons, Douglas Wolenetz and Joel Karch.
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Burial Date: August 9, 2011
Funeral Home Baker, MT
Funeral Service: Tuesday, First Baptist Church, Baker, MT