Schaefer, Fern Marie (1920-2011)

SCHAEFER, GROTJOHN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 4/2/2011 at 14:52:43

Fern M. Schaefer
July 29, 1920 - March 24, 2011

Fern M. Schaefer, age 90, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Fern Marie Grotjohn was born on a farm east of Schaller on July 29, 1920. She received her education at a country school in rural Schaller. Upon completing her education, Fern helped area farm families by serving as their housekeeper and nanny. She was also employed at the Schaller Locker Plant and later worked at Brown’s Grocery Store where she enjoyed making many friends.

Fern was united in marriage to Robert Warren Schaefer on May 22, 1949, at her parents' home in rural Schaller. On May 25, 1950, the couple was blessed with a son, Steven Robert. After experiencing the death of three children in infancy over the next several years, Robert and Fern welcomed their daughter, Mary Jane, into their home in May of 1957. They spent much of their married life farming south of the Storm Lake Airport. Bob and Fern also resided in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for several years while Bob worked at the McCrossan Boy’s Ranch. Bob passed away in August of 1994. Fern spent the past fifteen years of her life on the Methodist Manor Retirement Community campus.

Fern was a member of the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ of rural Schaller until it closed. She later became a member of the Schaller United Methodist Church. Fern was very active within her church serving in various capacities in Christian Education and attending the Women’s Fellowship. In earlier years, Bob and Fern had belonged to the Homebuilders at their church. Special talents that Fern enjoyed were sewing, crocheting, reading, baking, and cooking. All who knew Fern remember that whatever she did for her family or friends, she did with love. Fern, however, especially cherished the times she could spend with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, the focal point of her life.

Fern’s life will always be cherished and celebrated by her family which includes her children: Steven and Margaret Schaefer, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Mary Jane Schaefer, of Clear Lake, Iowa; her grandchildren: Brian (Melissa) Schaefer, of Waukee, Iowa, and Scott (Riki) Schaefer, of Lincoln, Nebraska; her great grandchildren: Cayden and Mackenzie Schaefer, of Lincoln, Nebraska; her nieces, nephews, and other extended family as well as many lifelong friends.

Fern was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert; three infant children; two brothers: Harold and Vernon; and one sister, Gladys.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 28, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in Schaller, Iowa. Burial will be in the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ Cemetery in rural Schaller. Visitation will be from 3-5:00 p.m., Sunday, March 27, 2011, with the family present during that time at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

May God bless the memory of Fern Marie (Grotjohn) Schaefer.

Copyright © 2011, Sliefert Funeral Homes

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