May 24, 1941 — Nov. 15, 2022
Judith Schroeder, 81, of Baker City, Ore. died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022 at home surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial and graveside memorial was held.
Born May 24, 1941 in Portland, Ore. to pioneer descendants of the Oregon Trail, Clyde Deval and Ellen Jean Heater, Judy was the second oldest of five children.
The family lived near Sherwood, Ore. before moving to Creswell in 1950.
She married high school sweetheart Kenny Fox. They moved to a small acreage near Creswell where they enjoyed life and started their family. Kenny passed away at age 28, leaving Judy with four children aged eight years to five months.
Friends set her up on a blind date where she fell in love and married Gordon Schroeder, a marriage that lasted 50.5 years. Their marriage blended her four kids with his three and Judy was one busy lady.
In 1970, with seven kids, three cows and no ranching experience, they bought a rundown ranch eight miles west of Mt. Vernon, Ore. Judy’s days started early, cooking three homemade meals, sewing clothing, making quilts, gardening, canning, riding horses, herding cattle, building fences, driving farm equipment, irrigating and working part-time at Dameon’s mercantile store, never missing church or children’s school activities.
In 1979, after successfully restoring their Mt. Vernon ranch, they purchased a larger ranch in Unity, Ore. where she continued to help on the ranch, volunteered countless hours as a 4H leader, FFA, community, sports and church events, while working as a substitute cook for the Burnt River School district where 100% of the meals were homemade.
Their years of hard work paid off; their ranching career was a success. They were founding members of Country Natural Beef, raising quality alfalfa and cattle.
In 1989 after their children graduated, they downsized their operation and leased a smaller ranch in Richland, Ore. In 1992 they sold their cattle and moved to Nye Road outside of Baker City where Judy worked as a store clerk at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and later as head cook at Brooklyn Elementary School.
Finally, in 1999 she retired. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, pottery, painting, camping, Soroptimist, cooking church meals and grannies quilt club. Most of all where she loved spending time was with her 16 grandkids, hosting grandkids’ week which included tea parties and swimming with Allie the alligator.
Family and friends will remember her generous heart and helping hand, love for family and faith in her Lord, Jesus Christ.
Judy is survived by her seven children: Kelly Fox (wife Lorrie), Mike Schroeder (wife Julie), Robin Fox-Lavala (husband Robin), Nicki Schroeder-Norton (husband Scott), Monique Schroeder-Devin, Terri-Fox Berthelsen (husband Mark), Tony Fox (wife Ronda), 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, one brother, Don Heater, and two sisters, Mary Wadds (both from Australia) and Bonnie Clugston (from Unity, Ore.).
For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Judy the family suggests the Alzheimer’s Association through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be shared at tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com
