Gladys Gerhart

Gladys (Krebs) Gerhart, 96, of Great Falls, formerly of Belt, a retired ranchers wife, died of natural causes on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Peace Hospice.Visitation will be held Monday, February 25, 2013 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Schnider Funeral Home.Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. A light reception will follow at Schnider Funeral Home. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.She is survived by her daughter, Sereta (Bill) Taylor of Great Falls; a sister Mabel (Fred) Heckerman of Missoula; sister-in-law Mildred (Joe) Heyde of Great Falls, Holly (Greg) Heser of Lewistown; three great-grandchildren Sereta, Garth, and Ava Heser all of Billings; and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents; and her brothers Clyde and Jack Krebs.Gladys was born on the family ranch west of Belt, on May 28, 1916 to Ann (Davidson) and Samuel A. Krebs. She attended rural schools near the family ranch and in the town of Belt. She graduated valedictorian from Belt Valley High School in 1934. After getting a degree she was employed by General Motors Insurance Corporation, followed by Farmers Union Grain in Great Falls.On November 9, 1939, she married George Gerhart they lived on ranches near Monarch, Raynesford, and Belt. Her wishes will be honored to keep their property in the family.Hallmarks for which she will be remembered include the gift of hospitality, big meals ending with big desserts, especially pies, cakes and cookies, each efficiently served with coffee! She treated the men in work clothes with the same respect and kindness as she did the well-dressed Sunday visitors. The perfectly sewn garments, many with beautiful hand embroidery, personally designed potholders and aprons, decorated dishtowels, baby and childrens clothing: all became practical gifts made with love and care. She was humble, kind, and generous, truly loving her friends and family.Mountain bluebirds were her favorite birds, but she appreciated all of nature except rattlesnakes, and she was adept at doing them in with a garden hoe! After becoming a Christian, she read her Bible daily. Probably the most difficult task she ever did was providing care for George for 19 months in their home after he had strokes and heart attacks. They loved one another more than 60 years.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Belt Volunteer Ambulance Service, PO Box 74, Belt, MT59412 or a charity of the donors choice.