Dorene (Whitt) Schilling

Dorene Yvonne (Whitt) Schilling, 85, of Cut Bank died November 6, 2013 at her home of natural causes.  Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  Inurnment will take place at a later date.  Whitted Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include her three children, Paul (Brenda) Schilling of Cut Bank, Susan Schilling of Seattle, WA, and Carl (Cathy) Schilling of Federal Way, WA; grandchildren Casey, Cameron, Austin, Connor and Alex; sister Bonnie Aschim of Sunburst, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  Dorene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband W.C. “Bud” Schilling, sister Doris Aschim, and infant sister Donna Whitt.

Dorene was born April 27, 1928 to Emmett “Red” and Fern Whitt in Tolley, ND.  After moving to Kevin, MT in 1930, Dorene attended school in Shelby and Oilmont, graduating from Oilmont High School.  She then attended Western Montana College, receiving her teaching certificate in just two years.  She finished her degree over the years through Northern Montana College while working and raising her family.

After beginning her teaching career in Rudyard and Conrad, Dorene met and married Bud Schilling on September 4, 1954, in Sunburst.  They settled in Cut Bank and raised their three children.  They had been married for 29 years when cancer took Bud in 1983.  Dorene’s teaching career continued until her retirement in 1985.  As a teacher, Dorene treated each student equally without prejudice towards past performance or social standing.  Countless former pupils have expressed their appreciation for her encouragement and evenhandedness.

Dorene was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, and a 30 year member of PEO.  She was fiercely devoted to her community, and could be rather unforgiving if one missed Lewis and Clark Days or the Festival of Lights Parade.  Her loyalty to Cut Bank carried over into the success of the local hospital, the food pantry, and the Love Package.  Each year she shopped for multiple children with much enthusiasm.  No gift was chosen without careful consideration of the enjoyment it would bring to the recipient.

Dorene’s care and consideration for each member of her family has been the basis for the unity and loyalty of her children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.  She continued to teach, showing that real wealth is not measured in dollars, but the joy you can bring to others.

Memorials may be sent to Northern Rockies Medical Center, or to the donor’s choice.