Gloria Paladichuk

Gloria Steppler Paladichuk of Beaverton, Ore., formerly of Sidney, died Saturday, April 1, 2023, at St Vincent Medical Center in Beaverton.

She was born Oct. 14, 1943, to Dave and Frances Steppler. She was one of seven siblings and is now reunited with sisters Clara, Joanne, Kathleen and brother Jimmy. She was raised on the farm in the Elmdale community, and her education began in Timmons, a one-room school. She graduated Sidney High School early and attended business school in Denver, Colo.

She married Jim Paladichuk on July 7, 1962. They raised two children in Sidney: daughter Deedra and son Brian. She purchased a movie camera to record many family events and loved spending summers at their cabin at Fort Peck, affectionately called “Little Sidney.” Her favorite activities at the cabin were waterskiing and visiting around the campfire with friends and family. She and Jim always shared the love of music and dancing.

State Farm Insurance Agency was the start of her career. Once her long-time bosses retired, she decided it was time for a career change and ran for Richland County Treasurer. She was elected and served from 1981-1988. In 1989, she decided to run for Richland County Commissioner and was elected as the first woman county commissioner of Richland County and served from 1989-1994.

She and Jim moved to Helena in 1995, where she lobbied for Richland County for several legislative sessions. She was a great leader and ahead of her time as a woman.

They moved to Beaverton in 2004 to be closer to their grandchildren. She had the kindest heart and always thought of others. She loved her family dearly and never forgot birthdays or holidays. She had a great sense of humor, smile, an infectious laugh and loved sharing stories. Even when she was critically ill, she was able to humor the doctors and nurses in the ER.

She is survived by her two children, Deedra Howes of Beaverton, Ore., and Brian Paladichuk of Tigard, Ore.; several grandchildren; and two brothers, Donnie of Sidney and Robert of Seattle, Wash.

Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 1, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Sidney with Father Jim O’Neil presiding.