January 17, 1937 – October 27, 2025
Renata Scheder-Bieschin, 88, passed away peacefully on Oct. 27 at Hillcrest Senior Living in Bozeman, Montana. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Johanna Fuchs and Willibald Kurt Pablo Mika, Renata lived a life defined by curiosity, resilience and boundless compassion.
Renata was married to the love of her life, Max A. W. W. Scheder-Bieschin, with whom she shared a joyful and spirited partnership. Together they raised two sons, Maximilian Felix (Ann, nee Remley) and Christian Thomas Paul (Gretchen Peek), who remained the center of her world.
Known to her grandchildren as “Mamo,” she was grandmother to Maximilian Joseph, Elisabeth Caitlin, Gabrielle Ann, Katherine Anne, Elisabeth Riley Bunka (Wyatt) and step-grandchildren Synclaire Milee Waldron and Baxter Duncan Waldron, as well as great-grandson Beau Bennett Bunka.
She was preceded in death by her dear brother, Juan Pedro Mika, and her nephew, Juan Pedro Jr. She is lovingly remembered by her nieces, Monica Beatriz, Liliana Patricia and Nadia, all of whom continue her family’s connection to Argentina.
After beginning to lose her hearing in 1963 and becoming profoundly deaf by 1997, Renata transformed her personal challenge into a mission of service. She wrote extensively for the hearing-impaired community, worked with nonprofits and helped develop hearing programs adopted by hospitals and theaters nationwide after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also helped establish Aspen’s “deaf skier” bib program, now used at ski mountains around the world.
Renata was known for her radiant smile, her habit of thanking others generously and her deep love of nature, literature and the arts. Fluent in five languages and an avid photographer and reader, she found beauty everywhere and shared it freely.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to organizations supporting individuals with hearing loss.