Dorothy Karger Schwarzlose

Dorothy Lillian Schwarzlose, 93, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at Christus Southeast Texas-St. Elizabeth Hospital, Beaumont. She was born on January 19, 1927, to Otelia “Tillie” Konze Karger and Harry Karger, in Kerrville, Texas.

Survivors include her son, Bob Schwarzlose, Sr. and his wife, Charlotte; daughter-in-law, Kim Toomim Schwarzlose; grandsons, Will Schwarzlose and his wife, Kate Bell and John Schwarzlose, Jr. and his wife, Diana; granddaughter, Elle Schwarzlose; grandson, Charles Schwarzlose and his wife, Haley; granddaughter, Kate Schwarzlose; great-grandchildren, Emily Claire Schwarzlose, John “Trip” Schwarzlose, III, Kathleen Elizabeth Schwarzlose, and Hayes Houston Schwarzlose.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene “Gene” William Schwarzlose, Jr.; son, Bill Schwarzlose, III, and seven siblings. 

Dorothy grew up on a ranch with an exceptionally large family. She was the youngest of eight children. Listed in birth order: Edna Bennett, Elizabeth “Pitz” Miller, Fritz Albert “Buddy” Karger, Sophie “Putzel” Furman, Margarite “Moy” Peebles, Harry “Jiggs” Karger, and Fred William “Bill” Karger. 

Dorothy’s paternal grandfather lived with the family and the household catered to him. Dorothy remembered her grandfather would spit his chewing tobacco out of the window on his way into town for a shave, as he never shaved himself. Occasionally he would spit, not realizing that the window wasn’t open! He was the County Commissioner for more than 30 years.

Dorothy’s mother cooked three meals a day. Sometimes there would be 30 people over for Sunday dinner. Her father took her to school every day instead of letting her ride the bus because he felt it was his responsibility. 

Dorothy went to Tivy Elementary and Tivy H. S. As a member of the Antlerettes, she played the tenor drum. She remembered never being sad or unhappy as a child. She and her nieces often competed in mud pie making contests.

Gene was smitten with Dorothy the first time he laid eyes on her. He was in Kerrville working as a flight instructor for the navy. They married on July 8, 1944. Bill was born in 1951 and right behind him, Bob was born in 1952. The family lived in Kerrville until moving to Houston, then Beaumont, when the boys were about 5 and 6, to get away from the cedars to which Bob was allergic. Gene began building pools in Beaumont after being hired to build the outdoor pool at Lamar University.

But they always kept close ties with their friends in Kerrville, spending all of their vacations and many long weekends at the deer lease. Ernest and Jean  Lidiak especially were lifelong friends. As Dorothy and Gene raised their family in Beaumont, they also made a number of close friends with whom they traveled and got together for many celebrations.

Her five grandchildren were the joy of Dorothy’s life. And she was a joy to each of them. Even though she couldn’t swim, she would don an inner tube and jump in the pool with them. Pool baseball was a favorite activity. She was such a fun grandmother, cooking their favorite things, playing games, and taking them on trips. She was very proud to know that each of her grandchildren earned college degrees and happily welcomed each of her granddaughters-in-law to the family.

Dorothy spent many hours at Bethlehem Lutheran Church serving in many ways such as Superintendent of Sunday School and The Alter Guild. She had so many cherished friendships at Bethlehem, especially with her dear companion, Jean Spitznagle. She worked at Beaumont High, which later was renamed Central High, from 1970-2002.

In her later years she delighted as each new great-grandchild was born and cherished her moments with them. She relied on her caregiver, Pat LaBlue, who lovingly tended to many of her needs.

Dorothy will always be remembered with so much love by her son and daughters-in-law, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a multitude of friends. She was a faithful Lutheran, a good cook, a loving wife and mother, a hard worker,  and a fun-loving friend. Our lives will not be the same without her but we rejoice that she is in heaven with her Lord and rejoined with her beloved Gene, her son Bill, and other loved ones.

A funeral service for Mrs. Schwarzlose’s will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2020, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 1350 North 23rd Street, Beaumont. Her interment will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 21, 2020, at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 1517 TX-16, Kerrville, Texas, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to CASA Southeast Texas Inc., 2449 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702 or to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 945 West Roundbunch Road, Bridge City, Texas 77611.

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