Gloria Bocaner Schneider (90), born August 25, 1921, died August 22, 2012, in Pullman, Washington. Scholar, activist, musician, teacher, mentor, wife, mother, and good neighbor, Gloria was a leading spirit for justice in her home town of Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin where she played an instrumental role in motivating and overseeing the construction of the library and performance center, and in the State of Wisconsin where she made her home until moving to Pullman, Washington in 1999. Never one to tolerate injustice, Gloria organized the first national opposition group to protest the infamous Senator Joseph McCarthy, challenging his slanderous accusations against US Citizens in a full page advertisement in the local newspaper (The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune) which was joined by several dozen additional and courageous members of the community: both Democrats and Republicans. The ad drew the attention and letters of congratulations from people throughout the nation. Gloria served several terms on the state’s first citizen medical malpractice review board and served as an official state elector in the Presidential Electoral College. She taught history at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids and at John Edwards High School in Port Edwards. She was a frequent host to state and national political luminaries, including former Governor Pat Lucy, Senators William Proxmire and Gaylord Nelson, and Presidential Candidates Hubert Humphrey and his wife, and current Governor of California Jerry Brown. Her wit challenged all who met her, her charm kept them coming back, and she forged many enduring friendships even with those with whom she often disagreed. Those who knew her will never forget her, and she will forever remain in the hearts and minds of her family and wide circle of friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Moscow/Pullman should be sent to the Moscow Public Library, 110 South Jefferson Street, Moscow, ID 83843, and in Wisconsin to the McMillan Memorial Library, 490 East Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494. A gathering of remembrance will be announced at a later time. Gloria is survived by her sister Irene Coheen (Las Vegas, NV), brother Lawrence Bocaner and his wife Janet (Fairfax, VA), and sister-in-law Gloria Bocaner; her three sons—Stephen and his wife Audrey (Parkdale, OR), Thomas Schneider and Dale Metz (Milwaukee, WI), and Mark Schneider (Penngrove, CA); her daughter Laurie and husband Crag (Moscow, ID); and her grandchildren, Scott, Rachel, Daniel, Liam, and Noemi, and her great granddaughter Emma. She was preceded in death by her husband Milton Schneider and her brother Marvin Bocaner. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, Washington is caring for the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com
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