Alane M. (Lillibridge) SCHAEFER

SCHAEFER, LILLIBRIDGE, RIEKENA, SHANK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/14/2010 at 22:42:53

ROCKWELL, IA — Alene M. Schaefer, 87, of 8730 Partridge Ave., Rockwell, died Thursday morning (June 2, 2005) at Rockwell Community Nursing Home. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 502 S. Second St. in Rockwell, with the Rev. Ronald Bolinger officiating. Interment will be in Rockwell Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City. Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to Hospice of North Iowa or the Alene M. Schaefer Memorial Fund.

On April 9, 1918, Raymond R. and Grace J. (Riekena) Lillibridge were blessed with the birth of their first and only child, Alene Myra Schaefer. Alene was born in Klemme. However, during the years of her early youth, she and her parents lived in South Dakota. Since 1930, Alene had resided in the Rockwell area. She graduated in 1935 from Sheffield High School. Alene was united in marriage to August Henry Schaefer on March 9, 1937, and the couple became the proud parents of five sons and a daughter. Alene was a nurturing and busy wife, mother and housewife. She lived on the family farm for the following 61 years and tended to the care of her family, which was always her highest priority. Alene was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockwell and was active in the church women's group, especially in her earlier years. Alene is described by her children as a lady who was very generous and kind and involved in the interests of their farming operation. She possessed a special tender and compassionate love toward caring for the elderly. Often, Alene would offer a helping hand of assistance to anyone at any time in a variety of ways.

In 1990, at the age of 72, Alene chose to enter into the community work force. She found extreme satisfaction, joy and a deep sense of accomplishment as she worked approximately seven years at Amicare (Mercy Home Health Care). Some of Alene's leisure activities and interests included embroidery, crocheting, and gathering material for her women's group at church for quilts, gardening, baking and cooking. Her children fondly recall their mom's homemade pies, breads and pastries. After the age of 80, Alene had the opportunity to travel with her son, Butch, as he was employed as an over-the-road trucker across the U.S.A. and Canada. She treasured the great conversations and the rides fulfilled her special dream to travel.

Those grateful for sharing in the life of Alene are her children, Carol (Klar) Schaefer of Rockwell; Merlin (Donna) Schaefer of Mason City; Larry (Elaine) Schaefer of Rockwell; Dale (Lana) Schaefer of Rockwell; and Sandra (Warren) Shank of Oak Island, N.C. She will also be dearly missed by her daughter-in-law, Lana K. Schaefer of Mason City; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. Preceding Alene in death were her husband, August H. Schaefer in October 1975; her parents, Raymond and Grace Lillibridge; and her son, Allan "Butch" Schaefer in August 2004. Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

June 4, 2005
Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa