July 8, 1931– Nov. 24, 2025
Teresa Marie Schwarz Schachle, 94, of Canute, passed away on November 24, 2025, in Oklahoma City. She was born July 8, 1931, at home in Manchester, Oklahoma, to Fred and Margaret (Wenke) Schwarz. Teresa attended Dilworth School in Kay County and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 1949.
She met James Schachle at a Catholic Youth Conference, and they corresponded by mail and met a few times until marrying on February 4, 1950, in Blackwell, Oklahoma. They made their home in the St. Francis community southeast of Canute, Oklahoma. While James owned and operated Schachle Insurance Agency, Teresa became a dedicated homemaker, raising thirteen children. She shared her time and energy with her church, school, and community. She served as a homeroom mother, was active in FFA and FHA, was a Girl Scouts mother, assisted with Canute 4-H, and participated in the Canute PTA, the Canute Sports Booster Club, and the Canute School Education Foundation. She was always there to support her children. A lifelong Catholic, Teresa served in many ministries. After St. Francis Parish closed in 1970, she continued her service at St. Matthew Catholic Church. She became a certified religious education teacher, cooked at youth camps, assisted with Meals on Wheels, worked with SHARE programs, and supported the St. Vincent de Paul Society. As a member of the St. Matthew Women’s Guild, she served as secretary and later as president for more than ten years. In 1998, she received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award from Pope John Paul II, now Saint John Paul II, and was blessed by several popes in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, Italy.
She was active in Senior Citizens groups in both St. Matthew’s and Canute. In 1999, she was named the district winner for Outstanding Older Oklahoman. Teresa was also a proud member of the Elk City Lioness Club, receiving Lioness of the Year in 1978 and later the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. She worked the Lions Concession Stand at the Elk City Labor Day rodeo and taught volunteers her efficient hamburger-making system. In 2003, she was inducted into the Western Oklahoma Historical Society Hall of Fame. She researched and wrote the history of the first Catholic church in western Oklahoma, often called the “Mother Church,” and her dedication to preserving family, church, and community history remained constant throughout her life. Everyone Teresa met was drawn to her lively spirit. Her large circle of family and friends included many cousins, nieces, and nephews, along with well-known personalities such as Chris Golden, the Oak Ridge Boys, Wayne and Kat Newton, Neal and Melinda McCoy, and Jack and Suzi Hanna. She cherished family reunions and trips to Red River, New Mexico, traditions she and Jamie passed on to future generations. Teresa is survived by her thirteen children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, along with extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Schachle; her parents; and her siblings.