Anna Schlep

1923 - 2018

Anna Schlep

Billings - Anna Schlepp, 94, of Billings, formerly of Brady, Mont., passed away January 26, 2018 at the River Ridge assisted living facility where she had been a resident since 2016. Her passing was peaceful, surrounded by family, hospice personnel and staff from the facility.

Anna was born on July 15, 1923 in Great Falls, Mont. She spent her early years on the family homestead in the Knees community east of Brady. She was the daughter of Alex and Annie MacLean. Tough times and the depression took its toll and with the loss of the farm, the family was forced to move to town. Anna began working at the old Green Front Café at a very early age to help support the family. She attended Brady schools and graduated in 1941 from Brady High School where she had participated in band, basketball and cheerleading.

Anna married Leonard Schlepp on November 12, 1941 and they moved to the family farm north of Brady. Their first home was a very small, one room bunkhouse, where they lived until Leonard's parents semi-retired and moved to Conrad. From this union, there were three sons; Douglas, Timothy and Monte.

Anna was very involved in community affairs, serving on the community hall board, and was one of the individuals that organized the 50 year All School Reunion in 1979. She was a dedicated, and at times somewhat vocal, fan of Brady Bulldog basketball and could always be found in her seat for home games. Her hobbies included copper tooling, ceramics, oil and water color painting, photography, writing poetry, and her yard where she could be found daily during the warmer months.

In 2010 she moved into the Horizon Lodge in Conrad when it became more difficult to traverse the winter roads. In 2016 she moved to River Ridge in Billings to be closer to family and was a resident there at the time of her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Annie MacLean; husband Leonard; brothers Johnnie and Kenneth; sister Milly; sons Tim and Monte; and daughter-in-law Linda. Left to mourn her passing are son Doug Schlepp of Billings; granddaughters, Stacy of Sheridan, Wyo, Diane of Wash., Heather of Otter, Tanya of Shepherd, and Marcy of Wash. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren.

When I am gone, give what's left of me to children and old folks…And your brothers and sisters walking the streets beside you. Look for me in the people I've known and loved. When all that's left of me is love, give me away.

Per Anna's request, no services are planned. Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be placed alongside her son Monte in the family plot at Hillside Cemetery in Conrad later this spring.

Memorials may be made to Brady Community Hall or Brady Fire Dept. Michelotti-Sawyers in Billings assisted with arrangements. Visit www.michelottisawyers.com to share condolences.