Edithe Nadine Motter Schroeder, 85, of Nome, died Friday, June 26, 2015. She was born on January 24, 1930, to Louella Carr Motter and David Motter in Seminole, Oklahoma. She grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana, where she completed grade school and high school. Edithe attended Southwest Louisiana Institute, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching. She then got her first job at the China School District teaching Home Economics. This is where she met the love of her life, Ickey.

They married December 12, 1952, and resided in China, Texas. Punkee was born on April 15, 1955, and Black, shortly thereafter, on June 11, 1956. Edithe taught grammar school while the boys were young and just as they were entering high school she began teaching Home Economics at Hardin Jefferson High School. She had a thirty-two year teaching career at China/Hardin Jefferson, where she retired from in the early 80’s.

Edithe also had two grandchildren; Nikki was born right before retirement and Beau, a few years following. Edithe was a family woman and loved her kids and grandkids so much. She spent as much time possible with them and spoiled them rotten.

She would go out of her way to try and help where ever she could. She kept Black’s yard mowed while he worked out of town and helped Punkee put the roof on his house. Edithe was tough woman who was not afraid of work or sweat. During the 70’s Punkee and Black became interested in rodeo and by the late 70’s her and Ickey were producing rodeos. Rodeo pretty much became a family tradition for them.  She and Ickey continued to produce rodeos, with much help from family and friends, until 1998.

Edithe had a love for the beach, where she spent most of her summers when her boys were young. She also loved to sew and was a very talented seamstress. Edithe loved to cook and always insisted on having holiday dinners at her house. She had a love for animals as well and would feed anything that Ickey brought to the house…including, a couple of baby bobcats, a monkey, a prairie dog, love birds, deer, baby coyotes, orphan calves, dogs, and cats. She didn’t discriminate. Edithe also enjoyed traveling with her sisters, Mary Lou and Alice Faye. Hawaii, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and going to the casino were among some of her favorites.  

Towards the end of Edithe’s life, she suffered many falls. In 2013, her falls caused a minor head injury and a broken hip. She was no longer able to walk on her own, so she lived at the Ya Ya House in Bevil Oaks. They took excellent care of her and three other women. She said that they treated her like a queen! Edithe loved all of the ladies that worked there, and they made home cooked meals, fixed her hair, had long talks with her, and catered to her every need. While she was there she spent a great deal of time reading and doing crafts, which she absolutely loved.  She passed away Friday, June 26th, at the Ya Ya House, in her sleep.  She did not suffer and went in peace, which her family is very grateful for.

Survivors include her husband, Ickey Schroeder; sons, Black Schroeder and his wife, Tuffy, of Beaumont and Punkee Schroeder and his wife, Debbie, of Nome; grandchildren, Beau Schroeder and Nikki Schroeder; great-grandchildren, Ellee Duke and Wyatt Schroeder; and sister, Alice Faye Gebhart and her husband, Richard, of Garland.

A gathering of Mrs. Schroeder’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at China Cemetery, China.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 or online at http://www.justincowboycrisisfund.org/donate/.