Gwendolyn J. Schneider

Gwendolyn June (Ball) SchneiderFebruary 12, 1036 - October 30, 2022 Gwen, 86, passed away October 30, 2022, in Vancouver, Washington after suffering a stroke. She was born in Portland, Oregon to Hilda and William Ball. She grew up in the southeast Portland area and graduated from Franklin High School in 1953.Gwen married William Schneider in 1954 and they were married until 1979 when they divorced. After her divorce, she moved with her companion, Vern Anderson, to a small farm in the Vancouver area. They were devoted companions for 44 yearsDuring Gwen's senior year at Franklin and after graduation, she worked at Pacific NW Bell as a telephone switchboard operator and later in the accounting department. She left the phone company when her daughter was born, but she enjoyed her work there. When she reentered the work force in about 1970, she was a demonstrator in local grocery stores for Portland Bottling Company. She also worked in medical records on the Bess Kaiser to Sunnyside Kaiser hospital transition, was the first female employee to work in the Stauffer Chemical Plant in North Portland where she worked for several years, and she retired from working in Kaiser Permanente dental and medical offices buildings as an appointment center clerk when she was about sixty.In her earlier years, Gwen was an avid bowler. At one point, she was on two leagues at once, including the Press 5 Grand women's bowling league which also included championship bowler, Gloria Bouvia. She loved gardening and she also was Vern's helper with projects around the house. She and Vern grew a large garden each year, from which they spent hours canning fruits and vegetables. She enjoyed tending her roses and she looked forward to finding out which rose Vern would pick for her each day. She was a great cook and her most requested item was her carrot cake. Every visit to her house included a meal. She loved visiting with her family and friends, playing dice games or games on her tablet, and trips to Ilani or (in her earlier years) trips to Reno to gambleGwen was Vern's close and most trusted companion for 44 years. They were rarely away from one another, and they enjoyed everything they did together. Gwen was also a doting mom and grandma; she was concerned about and took an interest in all her family members. Her immediate and extended family will dearly miss her.Gwen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother John Ball, sister in laws Nedine Ball and Donna Ball, and brother in laws, Don Elliott, and Ed Nelson.Surviving are her companion, Vern Anderson; daughter, Diana Schneider-Barnes (Richard Barnes); son, Ron Schneider (Dawn White Schneider); grandchildren Jordan Schneider, Megan Barnes, Jacob Schneider(Cheryl) and Joshua Schneider; brothers, Art Ball and Ernest Ball (Maria); sisters Juanita Nelson, Dolores Elliott, and Patty Young (Robert); many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews; Vern's children, Kurt Anderson, Kelle Paynter (Jerry Bullock), and Kraig Anderson (Teneil); and Vern's grandchildren, Lauren Watson (Shawn); Kyle Paynter; and Kevlar, Kayden, and Krista Anderson; and great-grandchildren Boden and Joelle Watson.A memorial service will be held on November 18, 2022, at 12:30 pm at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Ave, Vancouver, WA, 98684. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland, Oregon, or the Salvation Army.

Gwendolyn J. Schneider

February 12, 1936 - October 30, 2022