Carol Lynn Bridenbaugh Schweikhard, 90, died peacefully early Monday, February 1, 2016, in Georgetown, Texas, after a lingering battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born September 2, 1925, in Sioux City, Iowa, Carol and her seven siblings grew up on a farm in Dakota County, Nebraska. Carol was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, who always put her family and friends first. Carol graduated from Homer High School in Nebraska and went on to attend the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1947 with a degree in dietetics and institutional management. During her time in Lincoln, Carol was elected to Mortar Board, and was President of Love Memorial Hall, a cooperative living hall under the University of Nebraska’s Home Economics Department. She also was president of Ag YWCA, a member of the University’s Co-Ed Counsellors Board, and served on the Agricultural Executive Board. Carol was a Danforth Fellowship winner, which saw her move in 1947-48 to Bowling Green Ohio, for graduate work.
Carol was active in the Lutheran Church serving Lutheran Student Associations at Iowa State Teachers College in 1950, before assuming a similar role at the University of California, Los Angeles. It was at UCLA that William “Bill” Schweikhard walked into her office one day wanting to know more about the student association. Carol and Bill married on July 23, 1955, in Long Beach California.
They made their first home at Edwards AFB where Bill was stationed with the U.S. Air Force and Carol worked at the Post Exchange. When Bill moved from the Air Force to the Test Pilot School at Edwards, they moved to Lancaster, California, where they lived until 1978. During this time, in addition to raising a family, Carol began working with children with disabilities, receiving extensive training through the Frostig Center in California. She also was an active member of Toastmistresses and a strong supporter of YMCA Hockey and other youth programs.
In 1978, they moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where Bill taught at the University of Kansas. Their California roots tugged again and in 1995 the family returned to the Antelope Valley and lived in Palmdale, until 2009, when they moved to Round Rock, Texas. No matter where they lived, Carol remained active in the Lutheran Church. She was a big sports fan with a particular love for the LA Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs.
An article written about her at the University of Nebraska, summed up Carol’s life. “I don’t think there was a more active person on Ag Campus than Carol; no one saw her for more than five minutes at a time because she always said, ‘See you later kid, I have a meeting in five minutes.’”
She is survived by her children Jo Ann Moss and husband Mark of Georgetown, Texas; Craig Schweikhard and wife Nancy of Dublin, California; Keith Schweikhard and wife Sharon of Palmdale, California; and Russell Schweikhard and wife Tracy of Vienna, Virginia. Six grandchildren also survive. They are Tresa Moss Compton and Melanie Moss Reilley of Georgetown, Texas; Nicolas and Rachel Schweikhard of Dublin, California; and MacKenzie and Samantha Schweikhard of Vienna, Virginia. She also is survived by her sisters Margaret Case of Kimball, Nebraska, and Nita Rae Connelly of Fulton, Ohio, and by her brothers Lloyd “Bud” Bridenbaugh of Sequim, Washington, and Phil Bridenbaugh of Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as by numerous loving nieces, nephews and family friends that through the years called her mom. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Bill, her brothers Bob and Boyd Bridenbaugh and her sister Joan.
The family will conduct a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel in Georgetown, Texas, with a private graveside service in Chatsworth, California.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Carol Schweikhard to the Texas Alzheimer’s Association -- 3520 Executive Center Drive #140, Austin, Texas 78731, or to Hope Lutheran Church -- 6720 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood California 90038.
Information from the Gabriels Funeral Chapel