Carter Settle Rottschalk

July 13, 1933 - September 13, 2022

Carter was born to Robert and Carter Settle in Cincinnati, Ohio. Carter's two brothers, Bob (SPHS '54) and Ted (SPHS '56) rounded out the happy family. The Settle family moved to South Pasadena in 1944 when Carter was 10. The 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 Saturdays, 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 in 1953. Carter and Carl moved into married student housing in Aggie Villa. Their son, Rory, was born in 1954. Their daughter, Terri, was born in 1956. The Rottschalk family moved to Pasadena in 1958 and 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.

In 1965, Carter graduated from Pasadena College with a BA degree. The Rottschalk family moved to Chico 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. Carter was respected and loved by her peers and enjoyed lifelong friendships with many of her fellow teachers.

In 1968 the Rottschalk family moved to a 3-acre parcel in North Chico 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. Many of Carter's recipes have been handed down to her children's families in recipe books titled 'Mother's Kitchen Kapers'. The three 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 four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The testimony of Carter's life is her loyal love. She had a consistent expression of loyal love for her husband, her children, her friends, her students and their families.

Chico Enterprise-Record, September 30, 2022