Palestine High School Alumni Association

09 / 17 / 1921  –  09 / 12 / 2016

Wanda Link Schulze died peacefully on September 12, 2016, in Conroe, Texas, five days before her 95th birthday. Wanda was born September 17, 1921, in Palestine, Texas, to Inez and Nelson Link. Wanda held fond memories of her youth in Anderson County. She spoke often about the love and devotion of her parents, her grandparents, and her three brothers (N.R. Link, Darwin Link, and Allan “Dutch” Link) all of whom preceded her in death.

She graduated from Texas State College for Women (now Texas Woman’s University) and then commenced a teaching career in Brownsville. That first teaching position did not, however, last long. These were the war years, and she realized she could earn more working in a job integral to the war effort. So, she relocated to Galveston and took a position working in a laboratory at the American Oil’s refinery in Texas City. In that refinery, she met her husband-to-be, Edward M. Schulz.

Wanda and Ed married in September 1944, soon after Ed was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. They honeymooned by taking a train to New York, where Ed anticipated boarding a naval vessel for service in the Atlantic. His orders were, however, changed and the Navy flew him to San Francisco. Wanda took the train back to Texas. Upon her return, she learned that Ed would be in San Francisco for about a month. So, she boarded another train and went to San Francisco. Once Ed shipped out, headed for the South Pacific, she made another long train trip back to Texas, and began, like so many others, the long and worrisome vigil of a wife whose husband was serving overseas.

After the war ended, Ed and Wanda settled in Dickinson, Texas, where they resided for over 30 years and raised their three sons to adulthood. They were faithful members of Howell Memorial Methodist Church while residing in Dickinson. For many years, Wanda taught mathematics at Dickinson High School. Soon after Ed’s retirement in 1980, Wanda and Ed moved to Huntsville, Texas, where they resided until they moved to Conroe, where they lived next door to two of their sons. Their marriage lasted 67 years until Ed died in 2011. Wanda’s devotion was to her family. Nothing was more important to her than the welfare of her husband, her children, and the families of her children. By her time, energy, words, and deeds, she exemplified love and sacrifice for those she held most dear.

Wanda is survived by her three sons and their respective families: E.M. Schulze, Jr. and Patrice McDonald of Conroe, Randall T. Schulze and wife, Rose Mary, of Richmond, and James L. Schulze and wife Patty of Conroe.  Her grandchildren are: Troy Schulze, Emily Binetti, Stephanie Johnston, Martin Schulze, Greg Schulze, Steven Schulze, Leslie Book, Russell Schulze and Rene’ Schulze. Her great-grandchildren are: Dutch Binetti, Sloan Johnston, Adeline Schulze, Lilybelle Schulze, Jordan Book, Avery Schulze, Jett Schulze, and Jesse Book. Additional survivors include: Michael Galvan, Ian Rudebusch, Catherine Rudebusch, nieces and nephews.

Her life will be celebrated in a funeral service in the Chapel of Cashner Funeral Home, in Conroe, Texas, on Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 A.M. with the Reverend Gale Towns presiding.  Visitation with the family will be at the funeral home on Friday, September 16, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Interment will follow at the City Cemetery in Palestine on Sunday, September 18, at 2:00 P.M.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring to memorialize Wanda’s life are encouraged to make donations to their preferred charities.

Palestine Herald Press Website