Ella Schlabs

Ella (Erck) Schlabs, 92, left this world on Thursday, May 31, 2018, at Valley View Home in Glasgow, Mont., due to complications from a stroke.

Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held at the Medicine Lake Cemetery in Medicine Lake, Mont., at a later date.

She was born Jan. 12, 1926, in Esmond N.D., and was the first child of three born to Joe and Christine (Gummeringer) Erck. Upon graduation from Esmond H.S. in 1943, she moved to Washington State to work in a military hardware facility. She met Dave Schlabs upon his return from World War II. They married in Tacoma, Wash., on May 18, 1946, and later made their residence in Medicine Lake.

She was a master in the kitchen and left behind a hand-written cookbook of her favorite recipes. She also attended Dakota Business College and Billings Business College. She retired from the R.E.C. in Medicine Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dave; and one brother, Cletus.

She is survived by three sons, David (Carla) of Williston, N.D., Terry (Bev) of Spirit Lake, Idaho, and Darryl (Mary) of Nashua, Mont.; one brother, Gerald (Joan) of Escondido, Calif.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.