Esther M. Schlortt

Esther M. Schlortt passed away October 15, 2025 at the age of 91.

Esther Margaret Dietz Schlortt was born on November 23, 1933 on the family farm outside of Fredericksburg, Texas. Her parents, Arthur and Margaret Treibs Dietz, ran a farm and dairy with their four children, Elgin, Marvin, Esther, and Lillian, before later moving into Fredericksburg. Esther grew up in the midst of the Great Depression and World War II, a difficult time for someone who grew up speaking German as a first language, as speaking German on the schoolground could result in expulsion from school. Esther graduated from Fredericksburg High School and moved to San Marcos where she attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College, living with her brother, Elgin and his wife Ola, in the top floor of a boardinghouse. Living on the bottom floor was a newly returned soldier from Smithville, Quinn Schlortt, who was working on his master’s degree. It was a perfect match and the two were married in the Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg. Quinn and Esther moved to Dripping Springs where Quinn was high school principal. Esther was kept busy with school events, senior trips, and the birth of their first child, Susan Marie. The family later moved to Smithville where Quinn became high school principal and they welcomed their second child, David Quinn. Quinn would later purchase his family farm in Upton and Esther would live the remainder of her life on the farm in Upton. The family would expand in 1974 with the addition of a son-in-law, Gary Paul Guedry. Two grandsons, Stephen Paul and Jacob Ryan would follow in 1982 and 1985. Her daughter-in-law, Rochelle Blashke Schlortt would complete the family in 1993, bringing to the family granddaughters Kiley, Casey, and Erinn in 1996, 1998, and 2000. Family was everything to Esther and she was present at the births of all of her grandchildren.

Esther lived a life of service to her family, her community, and the children of Bastrop County. She taught second grade at Mary A. Brown school the year before the Smithville schools fully integrated. She taught for years at both the Smithville and Shiloh Head Start programs. She served on the Bastrop County Child Welfare Board, and when the community desperately needed a childcare solution for young parents, she founded a Mothers’ Day Out program which she ran for years. She was a member of the Eastern Star, an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Smithville, and at the end of her life, was actively working at the age of 91 at the Born Again Emporium, raising money for community needs. Nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and neighbor kids all knew where her toy closet was and could be sure of receiving cookies or a slice of her wonderful Texas chocolate sheath cake. She was exceptionally proud of her grandsons and her granddaughters and whether she was called Grandma, Mamaw, Mrs. Schlortt, Ms. Esther, Aunt Esther, or Mama Q, children knew that she always had a welcoming hug and eager ear for children of all ages, races, colors, and abilities. Family, friends, and neighbors were everything to Esther and she gave freely to all who needed help. She loved to travel and see new things, visiting Mexico, England, Scotland, Hawaii, and Alaska as well as many states in the U.S. Esther is now on her final trip and those of us left behind will miss her love and attention greatly. Heaven is a joyous place today as an angel has finally returned home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you continue Esther’s beliefs in helping people by donating to the Presbyterian Church in Smithville, Texas or other charities, particularly associated with children.

Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Marrs Jones Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be at 1:00pm on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church with burial following at the Young Schoolhouse Cemetery.