Dorothy Schuessler was born at her childhood home in Llano County to Walter Sherman Bauer and Charlotte (Lottie) Kowierschke Bauer on November 1, 1927, and died on March 1, 2021.  She was preceded in death by husband of seventy-three years, John Harold Schuessler; father, Walter Sherman Bauer; mother, Charlotte (Lottie) Bauer; stepmother, Mary Morton Bauer; brothers, Sherman Bauer, Weldon Bauer; sisters, Lillian Draper, Mary Jane Smith; granddaughter, Gillian Hope Schuessler.

Dorothy was the second child of the Bauer family and because her birth mother died when she was only three years old, she was raised by her stepmother, Mary Morton Bauer, along with her older sister, Lillian.  Additionally, four younger siblings, Mary Jane, Sherman, Weldon, and Winfred, joined the family.

Dorothy attended school at Castell and graduated from Llano High School in 1945.  After marriage to John H. Schuessler on December 27, 1945, she lived a busy life as a rancher's wife, devoted mother of three, grandmother and great grandmother. Dorothy enjoyed outdoor activities.  She spent many hours with her garden hoe in hand, tending to her flowers and vegetables.  She was an amazing cook and took pride in preparing and sharing meals made from her bountiful garden.  She and John Harold loved life on the Llano River and stayed busy with family and friends hunting, fishing, dancing, playing 42, and of course, running the family ranching operation which was a twenty four hour a day job!  In the early years of their marriage, Dorothy would saddle up her horse and ride along with John Harold on the ranch.

As a devoted mother, Dorothy was actively involved in her children's various school activities.  The family participated in various sports, band, FFA, 4-H and UIL events.  She served in the PTA and many times was a room mother for classrooms.

Dorothy began her spiritual life in St. John's Lutheran Church in Castell as a young child. After marriage, she and John Harold were members of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Castell for many years.   Later, they transferred their membership to First United Methodist Church in Mason where she served on various committees.  She was a woman of great faith and read her "Upper Room" daily, something she and John Harold practiced throughout their lives.

The small community of Castell was dear to her heart and she worked diligently on the restoration project of the Castell School as a state historical site.  She and John Harold were founding members of the Castell Volunteer Fire Department and spent many hours organizing the annual bar-b-que fundraiser.

Dorothy is survived by her children -- John W. Schuessler (Gena) of Llano, TX; Wade Schuessler (Beth) of Coppell, TX; Ginger Schuessler of Mason, TX; brother – Winfred Bauer (Carmen) of Mason, TX;  6 grandchildren – Aayric Hooten, Jordanna Richesin, Chapel Schuessler, Chandler Schuessler, Annelise Fellows, Charlotte Schuessler and 13 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers: Chapel Schuessler, Chandler Schuessler, Aayric Hooten, Annelise Fellows, Charlotte Schuessler, Jordanna Richesin, Richard Castro, David Schulze.  Honorary Pallbearers: Bernard Alexander, Greg Gant, Kenneth Dan Bailey, Mary Beth Helmcamp, Don Vierus, Kenneth Durst, Willie Smith, Charlie Bauman, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Castell School and Community Center, 249 Flint Road, Llano, TX 78643-2678; or First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 178, Mason, TX 76856.

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, March 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral service will be held graveside Saturday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m.at Trinity Methodist Cemetery in Castell.