Jean Schoettmer

1925 - 2024

Jean Schoettmer
7/27/25-6/15/24


Jean Annette Schoettmer passed away on June 15, 2024 at her home in Apple Valley, California. Jean died of natural causes at the age of 98, just six weeks shy of her 99th Birthday.

Born Jean Annette Bartleson in Long Beach, California on July 27, 1925, she grew up in Long Beach during the depression and attended elementary school, Junior High School and Long Beach Poly High School through her junior year. Jean had many fond memories of her home town and her early childhood there. In 1941, her family moved to Garden Grove and Jean graduated from Garden Grove High School in 1942. Jean went on to attend Fullerton Junior College, where she majored in accounting.

Jean met her husband to be, Ernie Schoettmer, in 1943 and they were married in 1944. They lived in Garden Grove, California until 1957, where they started their family. When her children were old enough to leave with child care givers, Jean went to work in the furniture industry in Southern California. She was active socially and participated in a variety of school, scouting and church activities.

Jean and Ernie moved to Cedar Glen, CA, a suburb of Lake Arrowhead, in 1957. Together they owned and managed Arrowhead Manor Water Co. and sold Real Estate in the Cedar Glen area. Jean was very active in local and school affairs and greatly enjoyed square dancing. Family vacations often consisted of a week at the Colorado River in the spring. Camping at Site Six, now Havasu City, with a large number of friends from Lake Arrowhead often involved fishing and water skiing. Jean and Ernie hosted a foreign exchange student from Argentina, Eduardo Scagnetti, in 1963. In 1992 they tired of the winters in Lake Arrowhead and decided to retire and move 'off the hill'. Jean and Ernie moved to Apple Valley, CA where they lived for the last 32 years.

Jean and Ernie greatly enjoyed traveling the United States in their recreational vehicles. Shortly after their move to the high desert in Southern California, they purchased an Airstream Trailer. They often left Apple Valley in May and stayed on the road until October, avoiding the summer heat. They enjoyed visiting friends in Oregon and catching and canning salmon. They were particularly attracted to many of the National Parks, Native American societies, and unique geological features in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. They would often stop and visit friends and family in Iowa for weeks at a time.

Jean was predeceased by her parents Lewis and Alice Bartleson, her Brothers Stuart and Bruce, and her Husband Ernie. Jean was a very loving Mother to her two children Gary Schoettmer and Joanne Strickland. Jean was Grandmother to their five children, Great Grandmother to fourteen and Great, Great Grandmother to fifteen.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held in Jean's honor at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, in Lake Arrowhead on August 17, 2024. The family requests that donations be made to City of Hope in lieu of flowers