Leonard Schaefer

Leonard Frederick Schaefer, son of Louis and Bertha (Hansel) Schaefer, was born April 10, 1910 at Deshler, NE. While he was a child, his family lived in Cheyenne Wells, CO and Exeter, NE, where Leonard received his schooling. They later moved to the Chokio, MN area, where Leonard worked the family farm as a young man to support the family. On June 13, 1934, he was united in marriage to Jeanette M. Nore in Elgin, NE. The couple made their home in the Johnson, MN area, where they lived and farmed for the next nine years. They were also active members of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, where Leonard served as a Sunday School Teacher and Youth Group Leader. In 1943, they moved to a farm northeast of Hancock, where they lived and farmed the rest of their life together. They were also active members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Hancock. Following Jeanette's death on May 28, 1996, Leonard continued farming, harvesting his best bean crop at the age of 87 years. In 1998, he moved to the West Central Homes in Morris, where he lived until 2005. At that time, he spent six months at the Courage Cottage in Morris, before moving to Home Front in Montevideo, where he lived until the time of his death.



Along with his love of farming, Leonard also enjoyed wood working. His mission was to make and share his crosses together with bird houses and numerous crafted wood items. He and Jeanette also enjoyed traveling, wintering in Texas for over 25 years, socializing and going to visit their friends and relatives. Most of all, Leonard loved spending time surrounded by his family, especially his beloved grandchildren.



Leonard died on Monday, April 14, 2008 at Home Front in Montevideo, MN, having lived to reach the age of 98 years and 4 days.



He is survived by three children: Vernell (Robert) Lea of Anoka, Marlene (Roger) Gades of Montevideo and Dennis (Dietra) Schaefer of Hutchinson; 11 grandchildren: Bruce Lea, Janet Paul, Paul Lea, Mark Lea, Eileen Burgess, Gary Gades, Jonell Gades, Allen Gades, Eric Schaefer, Robin Fortun and David Schaefer; 14 great-grandchildren ; two sisters: Leola Lowans of Walnut Creek, CA and Bernice Rudy of Bothel, WA and two sisters-in-law: Goldie Nore of Norfolk, NE and Dolores Strom of Whittier, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his brother, Raymond Schaefer and wife, June; his sister, Gertrude Townsend and husband, Perry; one daughter-in-law: Wendy Wegener Schaefer and three brothers-in-law: Andy Rudy, Archie Lowans and Simon Nore.



Pallbearers for the service are Leonard's 11 Grandchildren. Phyllis Joos will serve as organist for the service. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.