In Loving Memory of

Harold Joseph Schafer

Harold Schafer was born on August 7, 1924 on a farm in Nobles County, Minnesota to William and Margaret Vanderbergh Schafer.  He grew up on the family and attended St. Gabriel’s School in Fulda.  On June 24, 1951 he and Bernice Johnson were married in Mankato, MN.  Following their marriage they farmed north of Slayton and raised their three children. Harold worked for two years with other parents to get the first trainable class for the disabled in the Slayton School.   After more then 45 years on the farm they moved to Slayton.  Harold continued to farm until 2006 when he retired.  In 2012Harold became a resident of the Golden Living Center-Slayton and passed away there on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at the age of 88.  He was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Slayton.  He also was a member of the Knight’s of Columbus and served on the Murray County Museum Board for several years.  Farming was his life but he had a powerful commitment to his family with his gentleness and tender love that he showed them everyday.  

Survivors include his wife, Bernice Schafer of Slayton, MN, three children, Douglas Schafer and Eloise Sarloos of Worthington, MN, Shelley and Phil Sweetman of Currie, MN and Sue and John Peters of Apple Valley, MN, six grandchildren, Shannon and Ryan Landmeier, Stacie Sweetman and Christopher Ankrum, Jake Sweetman, Joe Peters, Maggie Peters and Shane Sweetman, seven great-grandchildren, one sister, Arleen Blair and her husband, Ronald of Sacramento, CA and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Elaine Koehn and Dolores Zens and two brothers, Leon and Robert Schafer. 

Funeral Services

St. Ann’s Church in Slayton, MN on Friday, July 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. James Seitz officiating.  The organist is Judy Andrews.  The song leader is Connie McNab.  The pallbearers are Shannon Landmeier, Stacie Sweetman, Jake Sweetman, Joe Peters, Maggie Peters, Shane Sweetman and Jeff Zens.  Interment is at Lake Sarah Baptist Cemetery rural Slayton, MN. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 4, 2013 at St. Ann’s Church in Slayton from 4-7 p.m. with a KC Rosary at 6:45 and a prayer services at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will also be one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.  In Lieu of flowers memorial may be sent to Hospice Of Murray County, St. Ann’s Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.