CARTER ROTTSCHALK

Carter Rottschalk was born to Robert and Carter Settle on July 13, 1933, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Carter’s two brothers, Bob and Ted rounded out the happy family. The Settle family lived in the Hyde Park section of Cincinnati. In 1942, the Settle family purchased a 136-acre farm in Lebanon, Ohio. The farm came with tenants who stayed on to manage the property which included an active dairy. Carter spent many happy hours on the farm and grew up enjoying fresh milk, cream and butter as well as fresh eggs, poultry, beef, ham, lamb and pork. There are many happy, funny (and scary!) family stories of the children’s escapades as they were growing

up. Carter had time for Girl Scouts, which was a big part of her life.

The Settle family moved to South Pasadena, California in January, 1944, when Carter was 10. The Settle family were active church goers which laid the foundation of Carter’s love of Jesus Christ and her appreciation of his grace and mercy which grew into a vibrant faith that guided her life and which she shared with family and friends. On Saturday’s, the family often went to Hollywood to see a “suitable” film and then out to dinner at Van de Kamps restaurant. The Saturday outings were a priority for the whole family as were the family summer vacations which were often spent on Balboa Island.

Carter went to UC Davis in 1952 where she met the love of her life Carl Rottschalk. The two were married on August 9, 1953. Carter and Carl moved into married student housing in Aggie Villa. Their son,

Rory, was born July 22, 1954. Their daughter, Terri, was born September 30, 1956.

The Rottschalk family moved to Pasadena, California in 1958. Carl and Carter were very active with the neighborhood families of Rory and Terri’s classmates.

In 1962, the Rottschalk family began a series of annual horseback camping trips to remote high lakes in the Sierras and Idaho. These trips left behind

many cherished family memories. Rory and Terri remember with delight their mom’s delicious openfire cooking, including the trout she and the rest of the family had caught that day.

In May of 1965, Carter graduated from Pasadena College with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

The Rottschalk family moved to Chico, California in 1966 and Carter began teaching at Durham Elementary School. During her 28-year teaching career, Carter taught second, third, fifth and sixth grades. She focused on reading, writing and literature. Carter was honored as Durham Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year in 1987. From the superintendent’s letter announcing this honor; “Your dedication, warmth and concern for your students is well known by all individuals involved with the school. I am extremely impressed by your innovative teaching techniques and instructional activities. You are indeed a mentor for other teachers.” Carter was respected and loved by her peers and enjoyed lifelong friendships with many of her fellow teachers. Rory and Terri are often stopped by former students extolling the impact on their lives of having been in one of Carter’s classes.

The Rottschalk family moved to a 3-acre parcel in North Chico in 1968 where they built their family home. Carter was a talented chef. There was always fresh bread in the oven, jelly and jam being made and fruits and vegetables being canned. All the fruit and produce came from the very large family garden. The family rarely went out to dinner, as the fare was not even close to the quality of the meals that came out of Carter’s kitchen! Many of these recipes have been handed down to her children’s families in recipe books titled “Mother’s Kitchen Kapers”. The 3 acres was also home to an assortment of dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, geese, bees, horses and goats through the years. The goats had a special place in Carter’s heart. Carl and Carter milked the goats themselves and Carter made fresh goat cheese and yogurt.

Carter was an engaged grandmother pouring out her love and care to her grandchildren; Josh Shelton, Matt Shelton, Kristy Dailey and Samuel Rottschalk as well as her 11 great grandchildren.

The testimony of Carter Rottschalk’s life is her Loyal Love. In the consistent expression of this loyal love for her husband, her children, her friends, her students and their families she demonstrated the glory of God’s nature as captured in Psalm 107:1; “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.”

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at Newton Bracewell Funeral Home, 680 Camelia Way, Chico, at 11am on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Share

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