Jerry, Lavergne, George and Margaret
The Schwender roots can be traced directly back to Germany itself. It was believed that a Schwender ancestor fled Germany to the United States to avoid military conscription as a conscientious objector in the Kaiser's army. He settled in Ohio and later his descendants settled in Wheeling, West Virginia. Today there are relatives still in Wheeling as well as southern Pennsylvania. The only Schwender son from the George E. Schwender family, Lawrence Jerome Schwender came to Texas in pursuit of work along with his San Juan Puerto Rican born wife Arminda, Pascual. All four Schwender siblings were born in Bellville, Texas and grew up in Houston.
L.J. Schwender
L. J. Schwender or "Jerry" as he was best known worked for many years with Boehck Construction Rentals which later was taken over by Manitiwoc Coastal Rentals. He was also organist and choir director of his church, St. Christopher Catholic Church located on Park Place Ave. in southeast Houston, Texas. He sang with the Houston Community Chorus and was the director of the Houston Saengerbund. Jerry could play practically any musical instrument. He taught piano, accordion, guitar and even whistle flutes. Music was the central focal point of the Schwender family. All the children learned music and even dance. Margaret studied voice and later sang with the Houston Grand Opera. She earned her music education degree and to this day is a music educator at Cornelius Elementary school Margaret Schwender Margaret's youngest brother, Jerry became a professional ballet dancer with the Houston Ballet and later with several other known ballet companies. He is now instructor and ballet master with Ballet Austin in Austin, Texas. Margaret and Jerry's sibling brother and sister, George and Lavergne chose different professions. George attended medical school in St. Louis and after becoming a doctor, joined the US Air Force where he was a Flight Surgeon for 20 years before retiring. He now is active as a physician in Occupational Medicine in Colorado Springs, CO where he lives. Lavergne chose to enter the convent and became a Dominican Nun. But it didn't stop there, she went on further to study Business Administration and then Law. After obtaining her law degree, she joined forces at the Harris Co. Attorney's office where she later drew up the 911 emergency legislation for Houston and Harris County. All four Schwender siblings became quite unique with their chosen professions, which can probably best be attributed to the inspiration of their father.
Jerry Schwender's wife, Arminda Pascual was the opposite of her husband. Jerry was always very cool-mannered and rarely ever was drawn to anger. Arminda, on the other hand was a woman of strong emotions. Her latin flavor was her trademark. Her door was always open to her friends from church or wherever and she loved parties. Arminda and her sister Isaura both possessed very pretty, natural untrained voices and appeared in Spanish Zarzuelas(or operettas) in their native Puerto Rico when they were young.Arminda sang with Jerry in the Houston Community Chorus. Everywhere Arminda and Jerry were associated, they had a mulititude of friends Their friends became their family. Arminda's only relative in Houston were her sister Isaura and her other few remaining relatives living in Puerto Rico. Jerry's siblings all lived in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania and occasionally, the family would take their summer vacation by visiting the Schwender relatives. After battling liver and heart problems for several years, Arminda passed away in 1985. Jerry followed her two years later in 1987 after struggling with Parkinsons Disease and died just two days before his 80th birthday.
Jerry Schwender's sisters were Ada, Julia, Myrtle and Mary Agnes who were all born in Wheeling, West Virginia.. Ada and Myrtle entered the convent of the Divine Providence in Allison Park, Pennsylvania and became Divine Providence nuns. Ada's name changed to Sr. Cecilia and Myrtle's to Sr. Georgianna. Julia married Max Schmuck and lived in Wheeling. Mary Agnes married Jim Berry and lived across the river in Belpre, Ohio.Sr. Cecilia passed away in 1982 and Mary Agnes most recently last year in August, 2000. Julia, who is in ill health and Sr. Georgianna are Jerry Schwender's only living siblings.
