Aneta felt she was blessed to be born into a loving family with grandparents who were a big part of her life growing up, and she bragged about how they all lived long lives. As it turned out, she lived longer than any of them.
She was very close with her siblings, especially Alice, who was closest in age and who she had many fun childhood memories, especially of walking to and from their grandparent’s farm to school in Oconto. Many good memories were made with sister, Barbara, after she and her family moved within a mile of Aneta’s home. She was thankful that she became closer to her younger brother during the last few years, and she loved dancing the jitterbug with brother, Bernard.
She had wonderful memories of going to her Grandparents Preston and hearing stories about their involvement in the local town/county Vaudeville, where she heard they sang, danced, and played instruments. She and Alice loved going through their old trunks full of costumes and playing dress up. Her Grandma Edwards was downright fun and funny. One of her fond memories is of eating Grandma’s coffee cake, and she was always thankful that her Grandma gave her the money allowing her to attend beauty school.
Aneta was very excited and proud to be able to go off to Omaha to Beauty School. It was during her time in Omaha that she met Dallas Schlecht (her first husband and the father of her 3 daughters), on a blind date with her roommate and her roommate’s boyfriend (Dallas’ best friend). She said that Dallas loved to buy her gifts because her eyes lit up in joy.
After Dallas’ death she worked various factory jobs in ceramics, leather, and ski products. After her second marriage to Howard Archambault, they moved to Oconto and eventually bought and ran the Crossroads Inn. She was always thankful that they had moved to Oconto because the small town environment better suited them, and also because she was there to take care of her parents as they aged.
After Howard’s death Aneta moved to Great Falls to be closer to daughter Bev, and then 6 years later moved to Longmont to be closer to daughters Pat and Jan.
Aneta was loved by all. She was kind and caring; the doors to her home were always open to family visitors and she was always there when she was needed. It always amazed me how many people she could squeeze into our home overnight or at holiday dinners. She grew up in the depression years, she took care of her dying mother and father, and she survived the deaths of two husbands (whom she called her lovebirds). She was a wise woman with a great sense of humor, and she was very proud of her family and her heritage.
Aneta is preceded in death by her parents: Vere and Opal Preston; two husbands: Dallas Schlecht, and Howard Archambault; two siblings: Alice Gunther, and Bernard Preston; and great grandson, Trevor Swift. She is and always will be greatly missed.
Proudest family moments: Showing off daughters after they were born. Bev’s graduation from university. Jan and Pat’s successful working careers. Parent’s 50th and 60th Wedding Anniversary Celebrations, where they danced the night away.
Fond memories of Aneta and expressions of sympathy for her family may be shared using the guest book link below.
