Obituary of Ewald Keller Schadt

Ewald Keller Schadt III, 67, of Pearland, Texas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, daughters and sister-in-law on Friday, October 18, 2013, after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ewald and Janie Schadt; and brother, Henry Schadt. Ewald is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Denise Schadt; daughters, Leslie Sweet and husband, David, Brandy Wolkenberg and husband, Matt, Gina Buller; brother, Fred Schadt and wife, Sharon; grandchildren, David, Lauren , Derek, and Dane Sweet, Isabelle Wolkenberg, Sofia Keller Campos, and Matthew Wolkenberg; and a host of other family and friends. Ewald was member of the Southbelt Community for 30 years, before moving to Pearland. An avid softball player, he coached his children’s and his grandchildren’s softball and baseball teams. Ewald was also a very accomplished softball player himself. He was a key player for a select few competitive senior softball teams. He traveled the nation with his teammates and went on to win six national championships. On April 29, 2011, Ewald was inducted into the Texas Softball Hall of Fame. As his disease progressed, and no longer able to play the game himself, Ewald and Denise continued to travel to support his teammates as they continued to play in his honor. He was the epitome of grace and wisdom under pressure and because of his resilience, he became a guide and source of hope to others who were newly diagnosed with ALS. Ewald’s greatest accomplishment however, was his family. As much as his wife, daughters, and grandchildren loved him, Ewald loved them twice as much. Throughout his illness, Ewald was blessed to have the people he loved most care for him. From the day he was diagnosed, February 9, 2009, Ewald, his beautiful wife, and his daughters, were all fortunate to have Ewald’s sister-in-laws, Patty Schouten and Wendy Meekins, both of whom played vital roles in his care giving, by their sides. Ewald’s selflessness and ability to completely love were a gift to everyone, and he will be dearly missed by his wife and daughters. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ewald’s name to the ALS Association at alsa.org/donate/ or by mail to The ALS Association, Development Department, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasa, CA 91301 (please include “in memory of Ewald K. Schadt III” in the notes section). A visitation for Ewald will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581. A celebration of Ewald’s life will take place on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the funeral home with Pastor Keith Anderson officiating. At the conclusion of the service, there will not be a public graveside