Ruth Kelm Schedler

August 24, 1929 - May 24, 2022

Ruth Augusta Martha Kelm Schedler died peacefully in her Cameron Park, CA home surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 24. Born August 24, 1929, the daughter of the late Otto Wilhelm Kelm and Esther Amanda (Graf) Kelm in Malone, Texas, she left the cotton farm to attend Concordia Teachers College and Indiana State University for her B.A. She met Donald Schedler, a visiting Divinity student, in 1948 at her home church, Salem Lutheran, Malone, TX, and they were married there on July 25, 1954 after Don finished Seminary. Together they served Lutheran congregations across the midwest, including Terre Haute, IN., where Ruth earned her M.S.,Ed. from IN State U. Ruth taught elementary school 10 years — was a school counselor briefly, then an adoption specialist 10 yrs. in Missouri and 18 in California. She earned her M.S.W. from the California Dept. of Ed. through her role in placing special needs children into loving homes. Ruth was her family's yellow rose of Texas who will be remembered for her faith in Christ Crucified and Risen, her kindness & patience, her Texas dry wit and love of family. Always ready with a warm embrace, Ruth loved sharing her homemade German Stollen, breads, and cookies with family and friends, especially at Christmas. She is survived by Donald, her husband of almost 68 years, her children, Rebecca, Jonathan (Laura), Paul and Thomas, brother Martin Kelm and five grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Norman, Lenora, Ellna, Reynold, Arthur, Nolan, Samuel, and Alvin Dean. A Memorial Service will be held at Light of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3100 Rodeo Rd., Cameron Park, Sunday, June 12 at 2 PM — a reception at the church will follow.