Gladys Schneidmiller, 97, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully at her home Sunday night, April 26, 2015.

Gladys was born March 6, 1918, in Valier, Mont., to Walter and Lillian Todd Vest. Her family lived for several years in Valier, then moved to Eureka, Mont., and finally to the East Farms area of the Spokane Valley. She attended Newman Lake and East Farms area schools, graduating from Otis High School.

After high school, Gladys attended Northwestern Business College. Her first job after completion of her studies was with the Farm Security Administration on the office side of agricultural lending.

Gladys met the love of her life Manuel "Mannie" Schneidmiller at her first job. They were married on Jan. 19, 1946, in Spokane and in 1949 moved to Post Falls. Mannie and Gladys were together for 51 wonderful years.

Gladys was a bookkeeper and managed the accounting side of the family business interests. Those included Schneidmiller Partners, Schneidmiller Brothers, and Schneidmiller Land Company. She actually continued as the company bookkeeper until her 96th birthday at which time she retired hoping the family didn't consider her to be a "quitter." She loved her vocation and was always happy when she had bookwork to do. She also assisted husband Mannie with the books for several boards he served on or with which she was involved. For a time, Gladys kept the books for the Post Falls Irrigation District, the Post Falls Highway District, the Post Falls School District and a few service organizations.

Gladys enjoyed an incredible Montana work ethic and was very proud of her heritage.

Gladys served on numerous boards and commissions, including 18 years as a board member and chair of the Post Falls Schools District as well as the state school board association. She was one of the five initial founders of the Kootenai Health Foundation and served on that board for a number of years. Gladys and Mannie, together with Schneidmiller Brothers, gifted the site where the Kootenai Health and Post Falls Cancer center were ultimately built.

Gladys was very active in the Post Falls community in general, and was known for her famous German chocolate cakes that raised thousands of dollars for the Post Falls Historical Society.

In 2013, Gladys received the Post Falls Chamber Heritage Hall of Fame award for her lifetime of community service. She liked to say that she had been there to watch Post Falls grow up, and she was certainly a part of that remarkable transformation.

Gladys was an avid WSU Cougar fan and rarely missed a home football game. She attended many Apple Cups in Seattle, and was honored with Mannie by son Gary through dedication of the bronze Cougar Pride statue situated right outside of Martin Stadium. In 1998, Mannie and Gladys were recognized as Benefactors of WSU for their generosity.

Gladys was also responsible for development of a substantial fund through the Idaho Community Foundation that annually supports the educational endeavors of four Post Falls students attending area colleges. She was always pleased to receive a note or call from the students describing their progress. For her contributions, she was honored by the IFC as a Friend of the Foundation. Gladys and her family were just recently recognized for philanthropy by the State of Idaho through induction into the Idaho Hall of Fame for 2016.

Gladys and husband Mannie were the recipients of numerous other honors. They represented Kootenai County at the Centennial Celebration in Boise, and were awarded the Post Falls Chamber Presidential Award in 1997. They have been hosts of the Festival of Trees. Gladys was very active as a 4-H leader for 12 years, and was a member of Royal Neighbors and Rebeccas.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Stan, Frank and Lloyd Vest; and sister Ruth Vest Bragg. Her husband, Mannie, passed away in 1997. Gladys is survived by her son, Gary Schneidmiller of Post Falls, brother-in-law Harvey Schneidmiller and wife Donna, sister-in-law Virginia Schneidmiller, all of St. John, Wash.; and sister-in-law Sally Vest of Pennsylvania; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2015, at the Community Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Williams, Post Falls.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Idaho Community Foundation Manuel and Gladys Schneidmiller Scholarship Fund or a charity of choice.

English Funeral Chapel, Post Falls, is in charge of the service. Visit Gladys' memorial and sign her online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.