Esther G. Schaefer

Esther G Schaefer, 90, died Friday, October 31, 2008 at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday November 4 at St James Lutheran Church, 1148 Fourth St SE, Mason City, Iowa with Pastor Paul Nelson officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. \r\n
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home at 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue in Mason City.\r\n
Memorials may be given to St. James Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa. \r\n
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Mrs. Schaefer was born October 10, 1918 at Tripp, SD, a daughter of Gottlieb and Bertha Schaal. She married Reuben E. Schaefer August 24, 1947 at Tripp. They met at school in the band, she was 1st chair clarinet and he was last. She would often speak fondly of her childhood memories of her parents, 2 brothers and 3 sisters, and what it was like to grow up during the depression. \r\n
She was a graduate of Tripp High School and earned her Teachers Certificate at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD. She taught 1st grade in surrounding communities near Tripp. They moved to Mason City, Ia., in 1950 and lived there until her death. \r\n
Esther was a long time member of St. James Lutheran Church. She participated as a Sunday School Superintendant and taught Sunday School for years, sang in the choir, attended altar guild, craft groups, Bible studies, Circle, & Couples Fellowship. She developed many life-long friendships through her involvement at St. James. \r\n
Mason City was her home since 1950. She loved this community and enjoyed being involved as PTO President at Jefferson Elementary School, and Cub Scout leader, TTT, Sorosis and delivering Meals on Wheels. She was a gardener, a birder, an ISU fan, enjoyed traveling & reading, needlepoint, cross stitch and was a collector of postage stamps. Esther and her husband were volunteers with Mended Hearts and gave hours of their time to the organization.\r\n
Esther was an avid golfer and hit a hole in one in 1977, a golfers dream come true. She was active in womens and couples leagues. She really hated giving up the game a few years ago. \r\n
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Linda Schaefer, Stuart, FL, daughter and son-in-law, Jayne and Bruce Dean, Omaha, NE, daughter and son-in-law Julie and John Krolikowski, Sioux Falls, SD, grandsons Corey Krolikowski, Andrew Dean, Michael Dean and granddaughter, Kari Krolikowski. \r\n
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Reuben, 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

Memorials:
Memorials may be given to St. James Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa. \r\n

Cemetery:
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery

Visitation:
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday at Major Erickson Funeral Home

Service:
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday November 4 at St James Lutheran Church