Lula Schertz
June 7, 1917 — November 15, 2015
Lula Mae Schertz was born on June 7, 1917 to father, Mansford Welton Gottschall and mother, Ava Loretta Valentine near Frederick, Oklahoma. Lula Mae was one of two children. She attended Frederick Public Schools and graduated high school in 1935, where she was a member of the National Honor Society for all four years. Following high school she attended Oklahoma College for women in Chickasha, OK. She graduated in 1939 with a degree in Music Education and a Teaching Certificate. She has been a life member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority. Chattanooga, Oklahoma was where she enjoyed her first elementary teaching job for two years at a salary of $50 a month. She then moved to Hennessey, OK. to teach for the next three years. Due to WWII and transportation issues she left teaching and worked as a clerk typist at the Frederick Army Air Base in Frederick. After the end of the war she returned to teaching in Frederick for eight years. It was at this time that she met and married Walter A. Schertz of Schertz, TX. They were married on June 2, 1953 and settled down in the town of Walter's birth, Schertz, TX. It was here that they spent their entire married life. Lula Mae worked with Walter in the family water business in the beginning. As time went on she became involved in many local activities. In 1958 she served on a committee that was in charge with the duties of creating the original charter that would incorporate the city of Schertz. In 1959 was the year the Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary came into being. Lula Mae was the first President for this group. To date there are about 10 original Charter Members still with us. In the beginning there were 47 charter members. In 1967 she saw Schertz growing in population and saw the opportunity in real estate, so at this time she had acquired her Real Estate License. At the time there were 14 active builders in the area. In 1972 she headed a committee of the Schertz Cibolo Chamber of Commerce which initiated a Christmas Lighting Contest. Aside from her civic activities and her career in real estate she had a variety of interests at home. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and playing Bunco with friends. History was always of interest to Lula Mae even growing up hearing stories of her family and their area. As she came to Schertz her interest was piqued due to the deep roots of Walter and his family. Lula Mae enjoyed researching this family and local history and she became a "go to person" when questions concerning the area arose. The city staffed asked her to begin creating a source that could be used for historical documentation of the town's history. With all the experience she gained it was no wonder that she would become known as Historian Emeritus and involved in the creation of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee. Lula Mae and Walter were interviewed many times over the years and were both always gracious in sharing memories and information concerning the town named for their family. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Arch Welton Gottschall; and her beloved husband of 60 years, Walter A. Schertz. She is survived by two nieces, Lavella Mount of Gainsville, FL and Elwana Fisher of Chattanooga, OK. SERVICE INFO In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Schertz United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 3460 Roy Richard Drive, Schertz, TX 78154 or a charity of your choice.
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