Lois Dear

Lois Lucille Dear, 84, of Bandera, Texas, passed away July 24, 2022. She was born August 3, 1937 in Raymondville, Texas to Lucille Pearl (Reed) Hensley and Joe Dear.

She was the 1st grandchild and welcomed with fanfare. As a child of the depression, she raised funds by recycling pop bottles and selling old rags for a nickel.  Her mother remarried and her stepfather embraced all 4 children as his own.  She was always determined. Having a stuttering problem, she took speech classes to overcome it.

She was married to Carl Schroeder for 22 years, and they had four children; having at least one in diapers for 7 years. She loved to have fun and always worked that into the schedule. She was a constant volunteer at school.

She visited those who couldn’t leave their homes, often taking her kids.  She had a special desire to help those who couldn’t help themselves. She liked to give hugs, could talk to anyone, and put people at ease. She loved swimming.  With other sports, like tennis, she wasn’t very good at them but that didn’t impede her joy. She was active in church and its organizations. She was creative and loved to paint, crochet, sew, sing, dance and travel.  She loved bold colors, especially turquoise and red.

She couldn’t walk past a baby without stopping. She loved teaching kids at Sunday school and as teacher’s aide in school. She could do it year round and never tire of it.

In addition to the Rio Grande Valley, she lived in San Antonio, Houston, College Station, and Dallas. Her final home was in Bandera where, after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she was cared for by her son Michael. She loved it there. She enjoyed the Silver Sage senior center; where her friends made sure she fully participated even as dementia made it challenging.

Her Christian faith was very important to her. She was a child of God.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Lawrence Hensley, her beloved mother-in-law Dorothy (Schroeder) Wolfe, and her three brothers: Dale Dear, Dwight Dear, and Lawrence Hensley Jr.

Lois is survived by her children Kenneth Schroeder, John Schroeder, Cynthia Watson and husband Mickey, and Michael Schroeder; and her sister Elaine Ellington.

Visitation is from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on August 6th at Grace Lutheran Church, 451 TX-173, Bandera, TX 78003, followed by the funeral service at 4:00.

Pallbearers are Michael Schroeder, Mickey Watson, Jack Evans, Seth Ralph, Henry Heidelberg, and Rodney Harrison.

Burial will be at 9:00 on August 8th at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Mile 7, Mercedes, Texas.

Funeral arrangements are through Grimes Bandera Funeral Home 1214 Mulberry, Bandera TX 78003.