Schaefer, George 1863 - 1917

SCHAEFER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/1/2024 at 12:38:34

Source: Cresco Plain Dealer Oct. 26, 1917, P5 C4

Relatives and friends of George Schaefer received the sad news of his death which occurred at Dell Rapids, S. D., Saturday morning. Mr. Schaefer formerly resided in Cresco.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born June 16, 1863 and died Oct. 20, 1917. He is buried in Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Dell Rapids, SD.

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Source: Cresco Plain Dealer Nov. 2, 1917, P4 C3

Obituary of George Schaefer.

On Saturday morning, at five o’clock the death of Mr. George Schaefer occurred at the hospital. His death was a shock to the entire community for, although he had been a very sick man since being taken to the hospital three weeks previous to his death, before that time few knew but what he was in robust health and only his most intimate friends knew that his life was one of heroic endurance.

The deceased was born in Cresco, Ia. June 16, 1863, where he grew to manhood. While he was still a very young man he spent sometime in Colorado and Canada after which he returned to Cresco where on October 10, 1894, he was married to Miss Barbara Faber. The first three years of their married life was spent at Cresco and then the family moved to Adrian, Minn., and from there to South Dakota, buying land near Dell Rapids, where he was a very successful farmer and a great help to his neighborhood. He served the community in many important capacities and was a director of the telephone company when the first rural lines were built from Dell Rapids. About ten years ago he bought a residence property in Dell Rapids and the family moved here, one object of this move being to give the children better school advantages.

Since moving to Dell Rapids, Mr. Schaefer had always taken a deep interest in public affairs and in matters that were for the best interests of the community. He was secretary of the creamery company, at one time served on the park board and had served as street commissioner for several years. He was an active member of the Catholic Church and was always at his post when duty called. A good man and a splendid neighbor is the verdict of those who have been closely associated with him during his life.

He was a devoted husband and father and will be greatly missed in the home which was so much to him. He leaves his wife, five daughters, Carrie, Gertrude, Isabel, Marie and Katherine and one little son, George, the youngest, age six years. The death of one son, Joseph, aged eight years, occurred about seven years ago. Besides his own family, he leaves three sisters, Mrs. W. Herzog and Miss Lucy Schaefer, of Cresco, Ia., who were with him during his last illness, and Sister Theresa, of Sheboygan, Wis., and one brother, Henry Schaefer, of Cresco, who came for the funeral.

The funeral was held at St. Mary’s Church Tuesday morning at 9:30 o’clock and was largely attended by sympathizing friends. Rev. Father Boley preached a splendid sermon, taking for his theme the words of Longfellow:

“Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

‘Dust thou art, to dust returnest,’

Was not spoken of the soul”
--Dell Rapids (S. D.) Times=Tribune