Pauline Schilling

Pauline Agnes Schilling, daughter of the late Herbert Riensche and Emma Niebrugge Riensche, was born December 5, 1917 in Cook, Nebraska. She grew up near Syracuse, NE where her father was a teller at the bank. During her youth, the family made trips to Oregon, and when she was 12 years old, the family made the decision to move there permanently. She graduated from Lorane High School, and received the Emma Bartlett Scholarship for Education nine days after her graduation. Fighting homesickness, she moved to Ashland, Oregon to obtain her Teacher's Life Certificate, which she received in 1938.
Her first year of teaching was at Palestine School, near Eugene, with nine pupils. She taught for seven years at a variety of other elementary schools, mainly in the Salem, Oregon area. After nine years of dating, she married Lt. Kenneth Schilling on October 14, 1945. Together, they had three sons: Gordon, David and Ken Jr. All preceded her in death.
The clear legacy that Pauline leaves behind is that she loved her family. When her father and mother needed support, she returned to work, despite wanting to be home with her growing boys. And, even with busy work and school schedules, she was actively involved in her boys' lives, supporting their interests and rooting them on in their academic and athletic pursuits. She was close to her siblings: Edna, twin brother Paul, Ruth and Gene, often arranging visits or extending invitations for the family to gather at the beach house in Arch Cape, OR. Her three granddaughters, Heidi, Tricia and Jennifer, spent many summer weeks and holidays visiting their "Grammy" and "Grampy". When family couldn't be together in person, she sent cards, letters and called regularly.
Pauline's enthusiasm for education was reflected not only in her 38 year teaching career, but in her dedication to being a life-long learner. She completed her Bachelor of Science through Southern Oregon University in 1958, then went on to complete her Master's Degree from the University of Oregon in 1962. Outside of formal education, she took golf lessons and learned to oil paint. She and Kenneth travelled extensively after they retired, including Hawaii, the Holy Land, China, Australia, Alaska and Europe. Long after Pauline's retirement, she could be found teaching neighborhood children how to play piano or write "properly" in cursive.
Pauline was dedicated to her faith. She often spoke about the strength that her relationship with the Lord provided. She actively participated in chapel each Sunday, playing the organ or reading a lesson as part of the service. Pauline lived her life honorably and with grace, reflecting her Christian values.
Her laughter, smile and love for life will continue on through her family: Heidi (and Robert) Bell of Eugene, OR; Tricia (and Jason) Schilling-Westgate of Seaford, Australia; Jennifer Schilling of Kansas City, MO; Randy Youngren of Marysville, WA; ten great grandchildren; brother Gene Riensche of Salem, OR and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A graveside service will be held on June 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 201 S Oak Grove Rd, Salem, OR 97304. A celebration of life service will be held on 10:00 am July 9, 2016 at the Grace Chapel, Willamette Lutheran Homes, 7693 Wheatland Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Pauline Schilling's memory to the
American Red Cross ( www.redcross.org ) or National Military Family Association ( www.militaryfamily.org ).