Pamela Kay (Bonrud) Henrichs-Schlepp

It was September 5th, 1961, in the picturesque town of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, when the newly released hit songs of Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces” and Roy Orbison’s “Crying” was playing on the radio as a mother gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Pamela Kay Bonrud.

Diane moved her and her children to Clyde Park, Montana, in 1963. But Clyde Park would be one of many towns in Montana that Pam called home. Fast forward 17 years, Pam was graduating high school as a White Sulphur Springs Hornet soon to become an MSU Bobcat on a full-ride scholarship. It was here in college that Pam’s independence, outgoing nature, and ability to create friendships flourished. It was without a doubt her adventurous and magnetic personality that led her to meet the love of her life and soon-to-be husband, Carl Crawford. Tragically, Carl died in a work-related accident only six short months into their marriage.

Willing to love again and knowing that she wanted to be a mother, as fate had it, she met Dan Henrichs. This union gave Pam her greatest and most treasured blessings, her sons, Logan, Billy and Chris. The next 20 years were filled with football games, wrestling matches, school projects, caring for 4-H animals, family boating days, and just about any other activity you can imagine three boys could convince their mother to do. Suffice it to say, Pam dedicated her life to her family. If you knew Pam for all of five minutes, you knew the light of her life was her grandbabies, giving Pam her most honored title of “Nana” to Logan James “Pumpkin,” Veronica “Nika,” and Hadley “Sweet Pea.”

Whether it was work or her many friendships that she diligently maintained, Pam loved with absolutely all of her being. She was truly kind to all she met, and only saw the good in people. She cared for her sister and a close friend while they passed away, never leaving their side. Pam was the epitome of Matthew 25:31: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Pam met Doug Schlepp late in life. With a bouquet of roses and a promise to love and cherish, she became Mrs. Schlepp. Her passion for travel emerged as she and Doug embarked on many vacations throughout the United States. But Pam’s favorite place to visit was South Dakota, where her brother, Les and his wife, Cindy, live.

Pam enjoyed doing projects with her grandkids and crafting in her spare time. She made numerous scrapbooks and was beautifully talented at making greeting cards for all occasions.

Pam had worked many jobs over the years; however, her passion for helping others shined through in her recent positions at the Rimrock Foundation front desk and as the Director of Life Enrichment at The Springs, where she poured her heart and soul into event planning, socializing and sincerely connecting with the residents and her coworkers. Whether it was work or her many friendships that she diligently maintained, Pam loved with absolutely all of her being. She was truly kind to all she met, and only saw the good in people.

Pam is preceded in death by her mother, Diane; her father, Leonard; and her sister, Debbie.

She is survived by her husband, Douglas Schlepp; her children, Logan Henrichs, Billy (Chelsie) Henrichs, and Chris Henrichs; her grandchildren, L.J. Henrichs. and Hadley Henrichs; her brother, Les (Cindy) Bonrud; her sisters, Brandy (Whitney) Hubenthal, and Angela DeKay; her best friend of 50 years, Jan (Kevin) Hutchins; her Goddaughter, Addy Ferguson; and numerous nieces and nephews, friends and colleagues.

There is not a day that goes by that we don’t miss the beauty you brought to our lives.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. in Billings, with a reception to follow at VFW Post 6774 in the Heights.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Pamela’s name to VFW Post 6774 Auxiliary, Rimrock Foundation, and the Alzheimer's Association.