Odelia "Tillie" Schneider Schacher

Tillie was an identical twin, born in Mt. Angel, Oregon to Jacob and Barbara (Kupser) Schneider. Joining ten older siblings Tillie and twin, Barbara, had a busy beginning. Barbara (Mesenbrink) still survives at the age of 96 in Chubbuck, Idaho. At birth Tillie was suspected to not live, but when her father noticed a single finger move as she was wrapped in newspaper on the kitchen table, the family was in fact blessed with a total of 12 children. She grew up in the Catholic faith on a farm in Silverton, Oregon where she learned the true value to growing a nice garden, baking, and spending quality time with her family.

Eventually Tillie moved to Portland, Oregon where she was working at a hospital’s laundry room. One evening she went out with some friends from work and met her husband, Arthur John Schacher, Sr. at a dance hall. They got married in 1941; Tillie also adopted the Methodist faith through her relationship with her husband, Arthur Sr. Their first car was a 1940 Willy’s Coupe. The happy couple was blessed with two children, Arthur Jr. in 1944 and Arlene in 1946. There was a half-brother, Robert Hazel who passed away in 1958 in a motor vehicle accident while serving in the US Navy in Florida. The family lived in Portland at SE 47th and Glenwood, in their home; the present day Woodstock neighborhood. Tillie was known in the neighborhood for her glorious flowers and vegetable garden that she would always share with the neighborhood, and children of the area to ensure they had healthy fresh foods to eat. They also raised rabbits and chickens.

Tillie was very involved with her children’s activities such as; boy scouts, girl scouts, PTA, you name it she would be involved. Her kind heart continued throughout her life in retirement. Her and Arthur Sr. would volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Loaves and Fishes, Trinity United Methodist Church, soup kitchen and would always lend a helping hand. She enjoyed trips to Idaho on the trains and many trips to the Oregon and Washington Coast, California, Disneyland, Hawaii, Mexico, and saw a lot of attractions, and National Monuments along the way. She very much enjoyed making doilies, ceramics, dried floral arrangements for the church bazaars and canning fruits and vegetables from her garden. She sewed all kinds of quilts for family members. Later in life she made three to five baby quilts a week at her beloved church, Beaverton Seventh Day Adventist’s Community Center to which she referred to as Dorcus until she could no longer see her fabric or machine. RaeAnna Brown, lovingly helped Tillie by giving her a ride to and from the SDA Beaverton Church, and Community Center for many years. The most difficult quilt she completed was a Cathedral Window quilt that she gave to her daughter, Arlene.

Tillie lost her beloved Arthur Sr. in 1981 and stayed very dedicated to the Lord. Art, Donna, Linda, and John was a big part of her life for many years. She was invited to attend a woman’s ministry retreat where on her own chose to join the Lents Seventh Day Adventist church and be baptized. Her love for the Lord was never doubted by anyone; she would share scriptures and volunteer her wisdom to those around her. Tyson, her grandson, credits his ongoing ministry to her, Tillie. Her words inspired him in so many ways that he became an Ordained Minister. Tyson’s wife, Natalie credits Tillie to be like an Angel that walked the earth touching every life she could with love and happiness. Her legacy will live on and she will be greatly missed by all.

In 1996 she moved in with Art and Donna Schacher, Jr for over five years with their two kitties’ and still enjoyed going on trips, SDA church, church work, breakfast, dinners, and other activities.

In 2001 Tillie moved in with her daughter Arlene and husband Ken. Arlene and her husband cared for Tillie in their home for the last 12 years of her life. Tillie went to her beloved church for the Tuesday Dorcus (Community Center) and to Sabbath as many times as humanly possible. Ricci Jeanbart from the Home Care Workers Registry took excellent loving care of Tillie in our home during the last two years and developed a very special attachment to her. Tillie was moved to an Adult Care facility when her needs exceeded what could managed at home. Tillie was in the AFH for the very short timeframe of 2 months.

Tillie is preceded in death by her parents, husband, eldest son, and 10 siblings.

She is survived by her son Arthur John Schacher, Jr. (Donna) of Tualatin, Oregon, daughter, Arlene Peterson (Ken) of Portland, Oregon, grandchildren; Tyson Roy Peterson (Natalie) of Carthage, Missouri, Timothy Roy Peterson of Vancouver, Washington; Linda Marie Kostenko of Kennewick, Washington; John (Grace) Schacher of Fort Collins, Colorado, great grandchildren; Kris (Karen) Kostenko of Loma Linda California, with Kellie Kostenko of Billings, Montana, Ken and Arlene’s grandchildren; Candice (Nathan) Mills of Joplin, Missouri, Jillian Peterson of Carthage, Missouri and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would also like to specifically thank Joy Schmidt LPN of Adult Care With Joy for her loving care during Tillie’s final two months.

Beaverton Seventh Day Adventist Church was Tillie’s home church with Pastor Terry Zull ministering until his retirement.