Rita Mae (Schindel) Bahr

Rita was born in 1931 in Des Moines, Iowa. Her parents were Fred and Martha Schindel. She grew up in Des Moines and later, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Rita graduated from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing St. Louis in 1952. She met Vernon Bahr, her future husband, on a blind date in St. Louis. They were married on May 2, 1953 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Vernon was a Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor and they lived in El Paso, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, and Waco. Vernon joined the Air Force as a chaplain in 1966. With the military, the family lived in Bangor, Maine and La Marque, Texas during Vernon’s deployment to Thailand. The family then moved to San Antonio, Lakenheath, England, and Austin. Rita and Vernon lived in Okinawa for another deployment and then back to San Antonio for Vernon’s final military assignment. After retirement from the Air Force in 1986, Vernon served a congregation in San Antonio. Rita and Vernon retired for good to McQueeney, Texas in 1992. Rita worked as a nurse throughout all these moves and relocations. After Vernon passed, she moved into New Braunfels and for her final years she thrived at an Assisted Living in Klein, TX where she was a member of Trinity Klein Lutheran Church.

They welcomed their sons Martin in 1956 and Douglas in 1958. Their daughters, Carolyn and Margaret were born in 1961 and 1962 respectively.

Rita is predeceased by her husband, Vernon Bahr, parents, Fred and Martha Schindel, her brother, Fred Schindel and his wife Ruth Ellen. She is also predeceased by the following brothers and sisters in law: Howard Bahr, Dee Bahr, Dolores Krueger, and Bob Krueger.

Rita is survived by her children Martin Bahr (Bonnie), Doug Bahr (Teeta), Carolyn Morton (Ron), and Margaret Brandenburg (Jehf). She is survived by her grandchildren Evan Bahr (Amber), Ben Bahr, Caleb Bahr, Audra Hill (Stephen), Rachel Morton, Caroline Koen (Emmett), Sam Morton (Katie Beth), Hannah Morton, Rebecca Morton, Grace Ford (David), Ben Morton (Kanae), John Morton,

Emma Morton, Tyler Brandenburg (Sarah), Cody Brandenburg, Matthew Brandenburg, and Amy Brandenburg. In addition, Rita is blessed with 11 great grandchildren.

Rita’s life revolved around the faith and grace God gave her. She was an active member in every congregation in which she was a member. Rita volunteered to lead Bible studies and fold bulletins. Most importantly, she prayed. She prayed for her family that God grant each of them faith and grace and that He keep them on the path He would have them walk. What an amazing legacy! Well done, good and faithful servant!

In lieu of flowers, in honor of Rita’s memory please consider a contribution to the Herman Schaefer Scholarship Fund at Trinity Klein Lutheran Church for students entering church work (TrinityKlein.org) or to the Institute of Lutheran Theology (ilt.edu).