Donna Jean Schwertner
7/28/1946 - 2/14/2018
Donna J. Schwertner passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 after a long courageous fight against ALS. Donna was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1946 to Robert E. and Betty Osterlund Coulthard. She moved to Texas City, TX as a young child and graduated from Texas City High School. She remained close to many of her high school classmates through their "Gotcha Girl" group, even recently gathering during the holidays for a luncheon. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Sam Houston State University. Donna met the love of her life, Larry, during college while on a blind date at her Chi Omega sorority house. She continued to support the Chi Omega sorority for many years by writing panhellenic recommendations for local students going off to college. In her professional career, Donna spent 27 years in teaching, primarily in Brazosport ISD as a Physical Education teacher. She taught at Brazosview, Polk Elementary, Bess Brannen Elementary, and retiring from Madge Griffith Elementary in 2007. She took great pride teaching physical education to the youth of the area and especially loved spending time inside and outside of the classroom with her fellow teachers. There was nothing she enjoyed more than coaching and attending her four children and nine grandchildren's youth sporting events and dance performances. She did everything she could to attend all of their events, often traveling to multiple fields and locations in the same day. Everyone knew she would be in the stands supporting us and "actively" cheering us on, even going to greater lengths in the past 10 years to make sure she was cheering on her grandchildren at their events. Donna shared many great life events with a wonderful group of friends. They had a lot of fun playing bridge, sharing recipes, vacationing, supporting each other's children, and visiting as much as possible. She was an officer in the local Aggie Moms' Club and a long term active member and Sustainer of Junior Service League. Our family would especially like to thank each of her friends for continuing to support, care for, and visiting with Donna. Donna is survived by her husband of 50 years, Larry J. Schwertner and children, Lisa Scott and husband John, Brian Schwertner and wife Page, Scott Schwertner and wife Kristen, Keith Schwertner and wife Kristin; and nine wonderful grandchildren Tyler Scott, Lauren Scott, Meghan Schwertner, Ian Scott, Douglas Schwertner, Kate Schwertner, Hailey Schwertner, Meryl Schwertner and Conner Schwertner. Also survived by her loving mother, Betty Coulthard of Texas City, brother Dale Coulthard and wife Teresa of Houston, and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are her long-time friends Binnie Bauml, Teresa Castillo, Margaret Gaspard, Linda Miles, Lynne Vandaveer and Lynnette Walsh. Honorary Pallbearers will be Donna's nine grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Lake Jackson from 5:30-7:00 pm with a Christian Wake at 7:00 pm followed by a rosary. A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 am, Thursday, February 22, 2018, at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Lake Jackson, officiated by Msgr. Leo Wleczyk. Committal will immediately follow at Restwood Memorial Park in Clute, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in memory of Donna Schwertner to the MDA-ALS or to Houston Methodist ALS Fund, Neurology Department, 6560 Fannin Street, Suite 802, Houston, TX 77030. The family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Khanh Bui, Dr. Howard LaRoche, Dr. Thomas Lunsford, Dr. Stanley Appel and his Houston Methodist ALS team, caregivers Yuliana Martinez, Kathy Isaacs, Migdalia Vasquez, Rosalinda Reyes and Lisa Wolber for caring for her with love and compassion.
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