Carol M. Rabe (Schlepp) Reed

Carol M. Rabe (Schlepp) Reed, 82, of Bozeman passed away July 30, 2010. Carol was born May 3, 1928 in Plevna, Montana to Carl and Adeena (Hoenke) Rabe. Carol attended Plevna Schools, and after graduation moved to Miles City for nurse#8217;s training. She received her first hospital job in Conrad, Montana. It was there that she met Waven Schlepp, whom she married in 1950 in Plevna. Together they made their home in Conrad for four years where they had two sons, Dennis and Mark. Carol and Waven bought a farm in Windham, Montana and in the fall of 1955, they welcomed daughter, Karlene, followed by another son, Kelye. Carol was an active member of the Windham community belonging to the Women#8217;s Club and becoming a 4-H leader. The family stayed on the farm until 1972 when they sold it and moved to Stanford. Carol and Waven were later divorced, but remained close friends throughout the years. Carol went to work for the Red Cross in Great Falls, where she met Ray Reed. The two were married in 1979. Shortly after they moved to Reno, Nevada, then to Marysville, California, where they helped operate a blood bank for United Blood Services. In 1992, Carol moved back to Montana, after the loss of her oldest son, Dennis, in 1991. She and Ray lived at Lexley Acres in Belgrade until Ray passed away in 1995. She then became the main babysitter for Karlene#8217;s son, Karl. She moved to Spring Meadows, and then to Edgewood Vista, and finally Mountain View Care Center. Carol was known for being a great cook, specifically her wonderful Christmas cookies. She enjoyed needle pointing, and loved taking care of the flowers and plants in her garden. In her younger years, Carol was an artist working in watercolor and oil paintings #8211; a hobby which she picked up again in her later years. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Joann; her son Dennis; her husband, Ray, her first husband, Waven, and a sister-in-law, Nancy Rabe. Carol is survived by her children, Mark (Jackie) Schlepp of Choteau; Karlene (Jerry) Swenson of Belgrade; and Kelye (Judy) Schlepp of Belgrade; daughter-in-law Jayme (Keven VanDyken) Schlepp of Bozeman; grandchildren Jessica (Gerry) Higgins, Casey Schlepp, Erin (David) Bratsky, Katie Schlepp, Michael (Esther) Schlepp, John Schlepp, Matt Schlepp, Karl Swenson, and a great granddaughter, CJ Bratsky; three brothers #8211; Melvin Rabe of Baker, MT, Delbert Rabe of Auburn, WA, and Ronald (Mary) Rabe of Baker, MT, plus numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 10 am at Sunset Hills Cemetery. Family and friends to meet at Dahl Funeral Chapel for procession to cemetery. Her family would like to thank Southwest Hospice and Mountain View Care Center for the loving care Carol received. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com