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VERA ANITA SCHROETER HEINRICH Vera Anita Schroeter Heinrich was born on December 15, 1916 in Runge, Texas and passed away peacefully on January 18, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas. She was the second of five children. Her father, Alfred Berthold Schroeter, known as "Alf B.", was a journalist and owner of the Karnes County News, a major newspaper of the time. Her mother, Martha Wessels Schroeter, was a homemaker taking care of a growing family - cooking, canning, washing, milking the cow, and all the other things expected of a woman in her day. Vera's older sister was Iris Ruth Isabel Schroeter, i.e. called Iris by everyone. Vera was followed by brothers Wessel and Donald and little sister Melba. Vera loved animals, especially her cat, Kittykadikada, and a small terrier named Jerry. There was no indoor plumbing, just an outhouse that was very scary at night. The Schroeters got their first car, a Model T, when she was about ten years old. When their telephone was installed, it was a party line used by many families. Conversations were not private in those days. Vera went to school in Runge, Texas and graduated from Runge High School in a class of fifteen. She went on to college at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin. It was there that she met a handsome boy named Walter Paul Heinrich, the son of a Lutheran minister. Walter was from a large family of nine children. When Vera graduated from TLC, she took a job teaching at a small school in Orange Grove, Texas. After a while, she and Walter decided to get married and she gave up teaching school. They were married June 2, 1940. Their first child, a daughter named Carol Gay, was born August 31, 1943. A second daughter named Paulette Ann, was born June 21, 1949. It was a happy family with two devoted parents. Many good times were spent together including fondly remembered vacations to Rockport, Thanksgivings, & Christmases. Vera loved music and playing the piano and organ. She was an excellent cook and liked to try new recipes. She also enjoyed reading the newspaper and crocheting. After Walter passed on July 28, 1998, Vera developed health problems. Her devoted daughter Paulette, known as Polly, provided excellent care of her for many years. During the last two years of her life, we were blessed with an outstanding caregiver named Nancy Estes who took superb care of our Mom. Now the time has come for Vera to be reunited with her beloved Walter for eternity. There will be quite a reunion in heaven, for the whole Heinrich family is already there, as well as Vera's parents, her sisters and her brother Donald, killed in World War II, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by her brother Wessel, Carol and Dan Hatfield, Paulette and Hank Harrison, granddaughter Shelley and her husband John Elliott, and four great-grandchildren, Joel, Jordan, Julia, and Jasmyn, as well as many nieces and nephews. She will live on in our hearts and she will be missed. Visitation will begin on Sunday, January 22, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South. Funeral service will be held on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. For personal acknowledgement you may sign the guest book at www.missionparks.com in the obituary section.

Tributes

Vera A. Heinrich

December 15, 1916 - January 18, 2012