On February 27, 1953, Roma Lee Schutte was born in Leadville, Colorado.  The fifth child of Raymond Robert and Frieda Angela Schutte.  The Schutte family lived in Climax, Colorado until 1962 when the mine moved the town to Leadville.  Roma attended Lake County schools where she participated in cheerleading and ski team and worked as a tour guide at the Climax Mine.  She graduated from Lake County High School in 1971.

She attended Adams State College briefly before moving to Summit County to work for Public Service. She then attended University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and graduated in 1976. She student taught Kindergarten at Pitts Elementary in Leadville and she always said when she was looking for her first teaching position, she had conversations with God saying she would go anywhere…even Kansas.  She didn't quite make it to Kansas but accepted her first teaching position at Woodlin School in 1977-78 school year teaching 1st and 2nd grades.

She met the love of her life Gene Brandau at a Woodlin Lions Club Meeting and after a short courtship, she became Roma Lee Brandau on August 12, 1978.  She taught 1st grade at Woodlin School for the 78-79 school year.  Angela Rae was born October 1979 and she decided to stay at home to raise children.  Rebecca Ann completed their family in November 1981.

Roma returned to teaching in 1987 at Woodlin where she taught 5th grade which was combined into 5-6 grades the following year.  A highlight of her career for her was sponsoring the Woodlin class of 1996 which was her first class when she returned to teaching.  They started their time together by winning a computer from Denver Channel 4 personally delivered by Larry Green via helicopter and completed with a Senior Trip to Hawaii.    The years also included numerous school and community activities and many family travels during breaks.  She retired from teaching in 1999.

When they became empty-nesters, Gene and Roma began their many traveling excursions including exploring many of the National Parks.

Angela married Jay Salberg in August 2005 and life got even more exciting when granddaughter Abbigail Leigh was born July 2007.  Kathrynn Allison joined June 2010 and Victoria Grace completed the circle in October 2013.

She returned to Woodlin School in 2012 as the Librarian and fully retired in 2017.

Roma and Gene continued to travel and she enjoyed serving with the Washington County Nursing Home Board, her Bowling league and was a very active member at the church at Last Chance.

On November 27, 2023, Roma passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus surrounded by her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter Abbigail Leigh Salberg.

She is survived by her husband, Gene of Lindon, daughter, Angela and husband Jay Salberg, and granddaughters Kate and Victoria of Cambridge, NE, daughter Rebecca Brandau of Greeley, her 5 siblings and many extended family members.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held Saturday, June 1 at 10 AM, at Woodlin School Auditorium with a meal to follow.

The service will be livestreamed at: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcxNzExOTY0MjMxMTY5MCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

All memorial funds will be going to Three Churches VBS and Last Chance Community Church for the 2024 Vacation Bible School being held June 17-21.