Karen Ann Schroeder

December 12, 1943 – May 14, 2022

Karen Ann Horton Hardee Schroeder was born in Forsyth, Montana on December 12, 1943, and passed away peacefully on May 14, 2022 in Austin, Texas with her daughter by her side.

Karen spent her early childhood years in Montana with her parents, Merriman and Delores and her siblings Sharon and Darren. The family lived in Colorado and California, where Karen and her siblings enjoyed playing with their dog, Tuffy, and visiting the beach. The family returned to Billings, Montana where Karen graduated from high school in 1961. Karen was a beautiful, confident teenager with lots of friends and she never passed up the opportunity to have a little fun.

Karen married Malcolm Hardee in 1962 and moved to Austin, Texas, where she had three children. She worked hard as a bookkeeper, using her skill and grit to keep herself, her family, and her small business afloat. Karen’s bubbly personality and tenacity of spirit made her a refuge for those around her throughout her life.

Karen was also a devoted Lutheran. As a youth leader and choir director, she led dozens in worship at a number of churches in the Houston area. She taught her children and grandchildren the traditions of her faith, and never waivered from her belief in the promise of Jesus.

Of all her roles in life, Karen truly shone as a grandmother. She married Bill Schroeder in 1995, and together they created an idyllic farm in Hockley, Texas. There, they served as grandparents to not only their grandchildren, but to all the neighborhood children as well. The sound of the farm on Three Pines was the sound of children growing up- laughing, playing, and learning. Karen and Bill passed down not only their skills- like sewing, gardening, baking, fishing and canning- but also their passion, humor, and kindness to dozens of children over the years.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her brother Darren, and her son Brian. Karen is survived by her sister Sharon and her husband Jay; her children Darroll and Terri and her husband Bill; her grandchildren Meghan, Matthew, Madison, Christin, Heston, Hannah, and Hailee; and her nephews Mike, Bill, and Steve. Her smile and sense of humor continue to live on in the hearts of her friends and family.