Dorothy Elaine "Dottie" Schneidereit

Dorothy "Dottie" (Battenfield) Schneidereit passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on September 15, 2025, in Bellingham, Washington, after living with dementia for several years. She was 87 years old. Dottie was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1938. In 1962 she married the love of her life, Roger Schneidereit. Together they shared more than six decades of marriage, filled with faith, laughter, and devotion to one another and their family. Because of Roger's service in the United States Air Force, their early years together took them to Maine and Massachusetts before they settled in Simi Valley, California. There, they raised two children, along with a household of pets that reflected Dottie's love of animals-especially her love of the many birds that brightened her days. A proud Finn, Dottie never lost her joy for simple pleasures. She was a roller skater, a creative soul who loved painting, and a gentle teacher. She shared her warmth and patience as a preschool teacher at California Lutheran University for 10 years, shaping young lives with kindness and care. In retirement, Dottie and Roger moved north to Bellingham, Washington, to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. Family was at the heart of Dottie's life, and amongst her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren. She was always present at their concerts and recitals and enjoyed attending plays and musicals with them at the local theater. Dottie is survived by her devoted husband, Roger; her son, Ronald Schneidereit, his wife Mindy, and their children Joseph, Curtis, and Rachel of Texas; and her daughter, Christy (Schneidereit) Emory, her husband Steven, and their children Aili and Alec of Washington. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Battenfield, and his wife Sukcha of Mississippi; her sister, Linda Giradi, and her husband Jim of Tennessee; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Ella Battenfield; her sisters, Earla Battenfield, Beverly Heath, and Anita Zaleski; and her brother, Carl Battenfield. Though she endured years of declining health, Dottie's faith in Christ remained an anchor. Now, freed from suffering, she is at peace-home with the Lord, and no doubt singing her favorite hymn, "How Great Thou Art." We rejoice in the promise that she is whole again, painting, skating, and singing with joy. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:4