Gladys Schneidmiller: Contributing to Post Falls' heritage

Keeping books has added up for Gladys Schneidmiller.

Even now, at 94, the long-time community contributor with a household Post Falls name can't stop making sure numbers for entities line up.

Schneidmiller keeps books for family businesses Schneidmiller Brothers Inc. and the Schneidmiller Land Co. and, before that, the Post Falls Highway District, a local irrigation district and the school district. All have been volunteer positions during the past 50 years.

"I like it and they need me," she said with a smile, referring to why she has stayed glued to the books. "Manny (Gladys' late husband) was very active in a lot of committees. It seemed like every time he was chosen, he appointed me as secretary and treasurer. I was the bookkeeper for free, and I still am."

Gary Schneidmiller, Gladys' son and a local Realtor, said: "She loves (bookkeeping). That's her thing."

Giving back to the community has also been her thing.

Schneidmiller was recently recognized with the Heritage Award during the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

She was a Post Falls School Board member for 18 years, is a life member of the Idaho Parent-Teacher Association and was a 4-H leader for 12 years. She is a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, the Idaho Community Foundation and is a founder and charter member of the Kootenai Medical Center Foundation.

Her and Manny's gifts have included an ongoing scholarship fund in their name that assists Post Falls High graduates, a flag monument at Evergreen Cemetery honoring veterans, land donated to Kootenai Medical Center and Harper's (now Kimball Office) for economic development and stained-glass windows and an organ for Community Presbyterian Church.

She has been recognized as a benefactor of Washington State University, where Manny and Gary graduated from (It was Washington State College when Manny attended). She still attends home football games to root on the Cougars and watches their basketball games on TV.

Schneidmiller was also recognized for contributions to the state during the Idaho Centennial celebration.

What is your background and what was your upbringing like?

My dad (Walter Vest) was a farmer. I was born in Valier, Mont. I rode to school 3 miles on horseback. The horses were tied in a barn during school. You had to be pretty tough to last through the cold winters. That was a way of life and I didn't know any better. We also lived in Eureka, Mont., for a year, then came to Spokane Valley when I was 10. I went to Otis Orchards High School (now East Valley). I married Manny in 1944 and we moved the farming operation to Post Falls in 1949.

Why have you and your family been so involved in Post Falls and in so many different ways?

Somebody needs to do these things and we're interested in helping the community.

Why was the Manuel and Gladys Schneidmiller Scholarship Fund founded?

When Manny passed away 15 years ago, I was wondering what I can do in his memory. So I set up a scholarship fund at Post Falls High School. Eleven students have graduated from college and the scholarship is renewable for four years. I've always got four kids in college. They keep me posted on what their doing. The first boy became a mechanical engineer and is working in California for NASA. I've had teachers, a dietician, one in pharmacy, marketing, communications, pre-medicine and nursing. One of the teachers had a contract with the government for four years to teach English to Japanese kids.

Why has helping students, either through the scholarship fund, serving on the school board and with 4-H or other ways, been so important to you?

What can you do that will help kids more than education? I was involved in the schools from the time Gary went through (in Post Falls). I've always been interested in helping kids get on right track. When I graduated from high school, we didn't have counselors. I wanted to go to college, but didn't have money. I did get a scholarship to WSU for one semester, but I thought, 'What good is that?' I went to business college a year and a half later. I've always wanted to better my position than selling hamburgers somewhere.

What was the day like last year when the flag monument honoring veterans in memory of Manny at Evergreen Cemetery was dedicated? What did that mean to you?

(Manny) was a good marine (She pointed to his framed military awards, including a Purple Heart, and war memorabilia on the living room wall). This monument is for all the veterans who have served. We're very proud (of the monument). As far as we know, it will be there forever.

The Schneidmiller family has multiple ties to Kootenai Medical Center, including the donation of land in Post Falls and you being a charter member of the KMC Foundation. Explain why the family has those ties to KMC?

We were asked to serve and we never turned anybody down.

You've watched Post Falls grow up. What's that been like?

We had six school buses when I was on the board. Now look at them. There's just rows of them. The community used to get together for potlucks. Now we don't do that. When we bought property, there were six houses from Idaho Street to Highway 41. Now look at it.

Your German chocolate cakes at historical society fundraisers are famous. Do you have a secret family recipe or what's the secret to their success?

I made about 50 of those. It's on the box. Anybody can do it. But they still talk about it.

What was your reaction to being recognized with the Heritage Award?

I thought surely there must be somebody more deserving than me. We have plaques on the wall. I figured we've been blessed enough.

What are your thoughts about Post Falls' future?

I don't see any slowdown. I think it's going to keep growing. It's a nice place, has a good education system and so it's going to grow.