Carmen Martha Signe DeSchneau

Funeral services for Carmen DeSchneau will be held on August 6, 2011 in New Town, North Dakota. Interment will be in the New Town Cemetery. Mrs. DeSchneau, age 75, of Gillette, passed away on Monday, June 27, 2011 at the Close to Home Hospice House where she was a patient for eleven days.Carmen Martha Signe DeSchneau was born February 8, 1936, the daughter of Arne and Elma Siira in Stanley, N.D. She was raised and educated in New Town, graduating from New Town High School in 1954. She then attended Minot State College graduating in 1956. Carmen married James G. DeSchneau on June 29, 1957 in New Town. The couple started their family in Minot, where Carmen worked as a substitute teacher for the Plaza, N.D. school district. The family then moved to California for several years where Carmen worked for a catering service truck until 1973, she then cooked for a bowling alley from 1979 to 1983. She also worked as a cafeteria cook's helper from 1985 to 1988 all while she was working at the Sears warehouse, as a merchandise clerk from 1973 through 1984. When she retired, she and her husband moved to Casper, Wyoming and eventually returned to New Town. After her husband's death, Carmen moved to Gillette to be near her family.Carmen was a member of the Eagle's Lodge and enjoyed crossword puzzles, knitting, gardening, traveling, fishing, cooking, writing letters and dancing to big band music. She was an avid San Diego Chargers fan. Carmen had a joyful and infectious laugh which delighted all those around her. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her family and cooking for them. In her later years, her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life.She is survived by her sons: Mark J. DeSchneau of Poway, California, Kevin M. DeSchneau of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Austin D. DeSchneau of Edwards, Colorado and Arne J. DeSchneau of Gillette; 6 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley Mikel of Seattle, Washington; brothers: Norman Siira of New Town, N.D., Roger Siira of Loveland, CO, Roy Siira of Palmer, Alaska, Dick Siira of Anchorage, Alaska and sister-in-law, Diane Siira of Brighton, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents: Arne and Elma, husband, James and grandson, Ethan DeSchneau. Memorials and condolences in Carmen's name can be sent to: 1.Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th St., Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Condolences can also be sent via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com2.Close to Home Hospice Hospitality House300 S. Burma RoadGillette, WY 82716 Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716