Gordon Ross Schlabach

Gordon Ross Schlabach, age 67, of Glendive, Montana passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at his home in Glendive. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 P.M. MDT on Monday, September 15, 2014 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Reverend James Hageman officiating. Interment with military honors will be held at 3:00 P.M. CDT on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Bismarck, North Dakota. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive and Eastgate Funeral Service of Bismarck have been entrusted with the arrangements. Ross was born in the town of Bismarck on August 28, 1947 to Rex and Irma (Wahlman) Schlabach. He was raised in Driscoll, North Dakota long with his 2 brothers and 1 sister. Ross graduated from Driscoll High School in 1965. He went on to North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota to become an electrician in 1967. On August 11, 1967, Ross married the love of his life, Shirley Schlafman. They moved to Glendive where Ross was employed by MDU. Ross honorably served in Vietnam from 1968-1969 where he attained the rank of Army Specialist First Class. When he returned from Vietnam, he continued his employment at MDU. The couple made their home in Glendive where they raised their three children. Ross had recently retired from MDU in 2012 before Shirley passed away on July 18th, 2013. Ross was a proud American Veteran and an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt deer and elk. Makoshika State Park was one of his favorite places in Glendive where he loved shooting archery, mountain biking, and jogging. He also loved to snow ski and enjoyed family vacations at Big Sky and Red Lodge. When his kids were younger, he spent a lot of time at the baseball fields coaching their teams. Baseball was his favorite sport and he told many stories about playing ball in Driscoll. Ross also had a gift for woodworking and spent many hours in his garage and at the DCHS wood shop. In recent months, he enjoyed volunteering as a sidewalk superintendent and painting the wall at the new football field. Ross was a special man that cared deeply for his family and friends. He was willing to help out whenever he was needed. Shirley provided childcare in their home through the years and those kids became family. Ross always held a special place in his heart for his 6 grandchildren and would always light up with a smile when talking to them or cheering them on. He was a proud father, grandfather and caring man. He will forever be missed very much by all of us who loved him. We find comfort knowing Ross is reunited with Shirley in Heaven. Ross was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his father, Rex Schlabach; his mother in law, Ruby Schlafman; his father in law, Otto Schlafman; his brother in law, Tom Vollmuth; and two nephews, Allen and Kristofor Vollmuth. Ross is survived by his two sons, Michael Schlabach and his wife Michelle from Gilbert, AZ, and Scott Schlabach and his wife Christy from Tucson, AZ; one daughter, Tamara Guesanburu and her friend Chad Bondurant from Gillette, WY, six grandchildren, Cody, Katie, Rachel, Hailey, Matthew, and Lexi; his extended family, Matthew and Christopher Iba and Brittany and Josh Miller, his mother Irma Schlabach from Bismarck, ND; his brothers, Larry Schlabach and his wife Starla from Bismarck, ND, and Leonard Schlabach and his wife Kathy from Bismarck, ND; his sister Cheryl Martell and her husband Vern from Bismarck, ND; and his sister in law Pam Vollmuth from Stanton, ND. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

Gordon Ross Schlabach

August 28, 1947 - September 11, 2014

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Gordon Ross Schlabach

August 28, 1947 - September 11, 2014

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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