Ella Beth Schoenig Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ella Beth Schoenig departed this life for the next on July 31, 2018. Ella Elizabeth Clark was born on June 1, 1925 in Millarton, North Dakota, the third child of Paul and Mabel Clark. During her first three years of life, she lived with the family above the general store owned by her father and grandfather in the tiny town of her birth. In 1928, the family moved to Valley City, ND. Excited by the prospect of living in a town with the modern conveniences of electricity, EB, as she came to be known, was quick to state that upon arrival, she wanted an “electric chair and an electric bib!” In Valley City, the family purchased a home with a storefront grocery business. Clark’s College Grocery, as it was known, was located across from what was then known as Valley City State Teacher’s College Like many “normal” schools in those days, Valley City State had a teacher training school on-campus. Ella Beth completed grades 1-12 there, graduating from College High in 1942. EB had many entertaining stories from those years as a result of always being instructed by novices embarking on their first classroom teaching experience. Much of the family’s life was entwined with the college, with Ella Beth coming to spend time in the home of the college president and being on a first name basis with college professors who traded at her father’s store. In addition to being a businessman, Ella Beth’s father was a Bible teacher and evangelist. Many of EB’s stories from childhood and young adulthood centered on the small Bible church started in the family home by her father and grandfather. In the 1930s, the family purchased a IGA grocery store, located on Main Street in Valley City. Even though EB actively worked at the family’s grocery outlets during her teen years, there was time for a variety of recreational pursuits with her two older brothers and other young folks associated with the church that was so integral to family life. She often recalled the early morning, near-death adventure of this group of young folks as a train bore down on them on the high rail trestle that spans the Sheyenne River valley. As a young adult, Ella Beth was employed for a time in the office of The Fair Store, a locally owned department store, and then by the North Dakota State Highway Department. It was during those years that Henry Schoenig, a young man from the northern part of the state, began to show an interest in EB. Henry and Ella Beth were joined in marriage on January 14, 1948 in her parent’s home. Their two month honeymoon got off to a slow start thanks to a North Dakota blizzard that held the newlyweds captive for several days in a private residence just 30 miles away from their hometown. With the birth of their first child in 1949, EB’s time and attention was given to domestic pursuits and the challenges of raising a growing family. In the years that followed, she and Henry built and lived in three houses in Valley City and owned two income producing four-flex apartment houses. In the mid-1960s, Ella Beth began part-time secretarial employment at the insurance agency of Myles Trapp, a position she held until 1971. Family members and friends still recall with delight, EB’s sense of humor, quick wit, and easy-going approach to hospitality. Mealtimes in the Schoenig home were times of banter, storytelling, and laughter, with EB’s mischievous ways adding to the fun. There were times when she had difficulty restraining her own laughter even while meeting out discipline in response to the table-time antics of her offspring. A major life change occurred in 1971 when Ella Beth and Henry moved from Valley City to Fort Collins, Colorado. In the years that followed, EB maintained an open home, hosting several CSU students who roomed and boarded with the Schoenig family. During those years EB was busy “slinging hash” to the many college students who put their feet under her table. In addition, the home hosted a weekly Bible study for college and career age young persons. EB invested in the lives of young women, providing mentoring wisdom and leading them in Bible study . Ella Beth had an ear for music and was proficient playing the piano, organ, and piano accordion for congregational singing and hymn sings. In the realm of words, EB was an avid Scrabble player. She was also a prolific poetess with hundreds of poems to her credit – some humorous, some deeply theological, and many written on demand to celebrate milestone events in the lives of family and friends. In the early 1970s she authored an autobiography of her early years, entitled Peculiarly Yours. The manuscript was edited and self-published in 2005. Ever up for adventure, Ella Beth loved to travel and catalogued road trips with the family to Canada, Mexico, and multiple destinations in the US. Beginning in 1980, Ella Beth and Henry embarked on a number of overseas travel experiences, with three trips to Europe, along with trips to Israel, Egypt, Ecuador, and Taiwan. Perhaps the high point of her overseas travel was a 1997 genealogical trip to Sweden to see sites associated with her Swedish ancestry. Closer to home, Ella Beth and Henry enjoyed camping, both at “the lakes” in Minnesota and in the Colorado Rockies. Ella Beth was energized by people. She knew no strangers, was often the center of attention at social events, and was ever ready with quick, humorous come-backs. In addition to a deep love of others, EB had a deep love for her savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. She was faithful in attendance at Southwest Bible Chapel (Valley City), Fort Collins Bible Chapel, and Faith Evangelical Free Church, respectively. Her Bible knowledge, gained over years of personal study, was rich and extensive. She lived intentionally in obedience to her Savior and his word. Doubtless, eternity will display the fruit of her life and passion for others and the Lord. After 63 years of marriage, Ella Beth was preceded in death by her husband Henry. Also preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, Eldon and Gordon, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by three younger half-siblings, Paul Allen, Lois, and Glen Ray Clark, along with her three children, Brenda (Robert) Kohrmann, of Eagle, CO, Darrell (Susan) Schoenig of Bellvue, CO, and Steven (Miriam) Schoenig of Fort Collins, CO. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Bryan (Nicole) Kohrmann, Brad Kohrmann, Bethany (Greg) Van Wyk, Chris Schoenig (Catie), Joshua Schoenig, and Hannah Schoenig, and six great-grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and a host of friends. In response to a knock at her door, EB’s voice typically could be heard to sing out in a unique, high-pitched fashion, “Come in!” Just as she so quickly welcomed others across her threshold, so she has heard the voice of her Savior say, “Come in!” EB has been welcomed to the table at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Our loss is great. Heaven’s gain is greater. Laughter in the celestial courts doubtless has increased in frequency since her arrival. We look forward to joining EB at heaven’s banquet table to celebrate all she gave to us and anticipate the joys of unbroken togetherness of eternity. A funeral service was held at 2 PM, Sunday, August 5 at Council Tree Covenant Church, 4825 South Lemay Avenue in Fort Collins, CO 80525. A graveside service will take place at 2 PM, Sunday, August 12 at Woodbine Cemetery in Valley City. Memorial donations may be made payable to Camp Elim, in care of Goes Funeral Care.