Mary Gertrude Rumping, was born March 3, 1878 in St. Louis, Missouri – the daughter of Eva Frances Specht and John Henry Rumping. One year later, in order to join her father who had earlier arrived in Montana Territory, Eva and one-year-old Mary made a 3-month boat trip from St. Louis, Missouri to Fort Benton, Montana Territory – followed by another 160-mile stage trip from Fort Benton to Belmont, near present-day Marysville. 1895 (age 17) – Mary graduated from high school in May and by the fall, she had obtained a teacher’s certificate. August 1900 (age 22) – Mary married George Schenk. 1901 to 1910 (age 23 to age 32) – Mary and George had four children. February 1914 (age 35) – Mary and George had a fifth child, Valentine. April 1915 (age 37) – Valentine died. October 1915 (age 37) – George Schenk died at age 38. November 1916 (age 38) – Mary married Albert Schaffer. January 1921 (age 42) – Mary had a son who was either stillborn or died the same day. June 1934 (age 56) – Mary’s 2nd husband Albert died. February 1945 (age 67) – Mary married Eugene Riordan and moved to Kansas. July 1945 (age 68) – Eugene died in an auto accident and Mary moved back to Marysville, Montana. November 1952 (age 74) – Mary died in Helena, Montana.

Georgiana “Georgie” Frances Schenk, born in 1901. Mary sometimes referred to her as “Fran” in her journal, especially when she became an adult. Fran married Cid Dalin in 1921 and lived in Helena, Montana. They had four children and she died in 1966.