Gloria J. Schaffer, age 63, of Custer, SD died at Rapid City Regional Hospice House in Rapid City, SD, on April 12, 2010 from an extended struggle with cancer.

She was the daughter of Merlin 'Van' Vandewege and Maxine (Berning) Vandewege. Gloria lived in Austin, MN through 11th grade when her family moved to Mankato, MN. She graduated from high school there in 1964. She also attended college and graduated in 1968, Magna Cum Laude, with a BS in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University at Mankato. While attending college, she joined Gamma Phi Beta and became the sorority president. In 1989, she received a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from South Dakota State University through a special program for women and minorities in education.

Gloria married the love of her life, Dale Schaffer, on December 26, 1967 at Centenary Methodist Church. She completed her degree and started teaching in Jr. First Grade in Wells, MN while Dale finished his degree. They moved on to Mason City, IA where the couple were teachers within the school district. There they started their family and moved to Des Moines, IA and later Fort Dodge, IA, where Dale managed a credit bureau. Their final move was to Custer, SD as owners/operators of Western Woodcarvings, later known as The National Museum of Woodcarvings.

Gloria Schaffer enjoyed being home a number of years while her children were young. In 1985 she returned to teaching at Custer School District – High School Special Education, First, Third, and Fifth grades prior to becoming the Special Education Director for 17 years. For four years, she congruently served Hill City as Special Education Director. She gave 28 years providing education and educational opportunities to students.

Gloria loved the Lord, Jesus Christ from an early age and her faith sustained her throughout her life! She was an active member of her community churches. For the past 25 years, she had been a member of Custer Lutheran Fellowship. She had served as Sunday School teacher, congregational president, church council, choir and song/liturgy leader. She participated in the ministry of the churches "Quest/Excel" – Girls' Youth Camp. Gloria and Dale have found joy in sharing music and love through their Christian singing throughout the years.

While living in Custer, Gloria was actively engaged in diverse organizations. She was a former PEO member and president. She was a member of South Dakota CASE (Counsel of Administrators for Special Education). She was recognized as Outstanding Special Education Director in the State of South Dakota by the SD Council of Exceptional Children.

Gloria loved her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. She loved the people who surrounded her and who worked with her.

Gloria is survived by her spouse, Dale E. Schaffer; son, Bryce (Colette) of Lindsay, OK; son, Paul (Jill) of Eden Prairie, MN; daughter, Kristine (Jared) Gaskill of Billings, MT along with seven grandchildren, Ethan; Callie; Nathanial; Preston; Brooke; Cole and Jackson. Also, she is leaving behind her sister, Charlene (Ivan) Clark of Spearfish, SD and her brother, John (Josie) Vandewege of Rosemont, MN along with nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Prior to Gloria Schaffer's death, were the deaths of her parents in 2006, death of her grandparents, and the tragic death of her beloved nephew, Nathan John Vandewege in 2008.

Services will be held at 10:00 A.M, Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church in Custer, with Pastor Tom Opoien and Pastor Kent Narum officiating. Burial will follow at Custer Cemetery.

Memorial will be given to ELCA-World Hunger/Custer Lutheran Fellowship Youth Ministry

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.