Esther P Schroeder

Esther Pearl Schroeder passed away peacefully on February 21, 2022 at the age of 93. She was born May 11, 1928 in Beyersville, Texas to Lydia Rieger and Emil Bachmayer. She grew up on the farm in Taylor with her five siblings and stayed there until she married. Esther attended Brushy School for 2 years and Thrall School through grade 9. She received her GED from the University of Texas in 1964.

Esther married Ewald Walter Schroeder on March 15, 1946. They lived in Thorndale for a short time before moving on to San Antonio, where they lived for 9 years. In December of 1946 she gave birth to their daughter, Diana and 3 years later in September their son, Charles.

They returned to Thorndale in early 1957 for about a year before they settled in Austin, where they remained until Ewald passed away. Esther relocated to Bastrop, Texas in 2003.

Esther enjoyed sewing anything from cotton sack to formal wear. She and Ewald went fishing together, from cow ponds and lakes to the Guadalupe and San Gabriel Rivers in Central Texas. They hunted squirrels together – she would spot them and flush them out so he could get a good shot. They were also involved in the Texas Wendish Heritage Society, working at folklife festivals, preserving the history and culture of the Wends. She also enjoyed long drives out into the country to see the Texas wildflowers.

She was never one to shirk rolling up her sleeves and getting work done. First and foremost, she was a devoted wife and mother. She raised Diana and Charles, and later their oldest grandchild, Brent. She was always there to help her children and grandchildren in their times of need. Beyond that, she held a number of part time jobs over the years to help the family out, including managing rental properties and office bookwork. She and Ewald collected so much stuff over the years that they got into the garage sale business, ensuring things left behind or considered trash by some became other people’s treasures.

Esther was well known for her potato soup, German potato salad, homemade bread, noodles, pickles, plum and dewberry jellies, venison sausage, and so much more. She was a great cook and is fondly remembered bickering with her sister Verna Mae in the kitchen.

She was a strong, stubborn, stoic, wonderful woman. She lived a long, rich life, because she had the true grit and determination to see any difficulties through. It comes as a surprise to finally have to say goodbye, because she always seemed to be able to endure and outlast anything. She is well loved, and she will be missed.

Esther is survived by her daughter Diana Jones; daughter-in-law Bonnie Schroeder; grandchildren Brent Walker & wife Melissa, Vicki Miertschin & husband Keith, Christopher Walker & wife Elaine, Chuck Schroeder & wife Erin, Steven Schroeder, Kevin Schroeder and Omega Graninger; 10 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of more than fifty years, Ewald Walter Schroeder, her son Charles Schroeder and her siblings Verna Mae Harwood, Nelda (Short) Boney, Emil (Sonny) Bachmayer, Eleanor (Babe) Bearden, and LeeRoy (Junior) Bachmayer.

All are invited to visit with the family on February 27,2022 from 2:00-4:00 at the Condra Funeral Home in Taylor. A reception will follow at the SPJST Lodge on FM619.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy make a memorial contribution to a favorite charity or just take time to reflect and remember a treasured time you spent with Esther.