IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Lillian E.
Schaffer
December 21, 1920 – November 27, 2009
Obituary
Lillian E. 'Lil' Schaffer, age 88 of Rapid City, SD, passed away November 27, 2009 at Hospice House in Rapid City.
Lillian was born December 21, 1920 in St. Pall, MN to parents, John and Christina Johnson. She was the youngest of four children. In 1940, Lillian met Charles Arthur Schaffer. They decided to marry April 12, 1941 and lived in the St. Paul area, until he enlisted in the Marine Corp.
Lillian Schaffer graduated from high school in St. Paul. Although, she was not in the military, she followed her husband to Camp Pendleton Marine Base in San Diego, CA during WWII. She became a "Rosy the Riveter" supervisor for Boeing Aircraft in San Diego.
Lil loved her family. She loved her husband. They were married 66 years. Her husband wrote back in 1978 that he was "thankful to have the most wonderful and understanding life-mate; my wife Lil is 75% of whatever I am or will be." They had two children, Dale (Gloria) of Custer, SD and Bruce (Sarah) of Show Low, AZ. They had five grandchildren, Bryce; Paul; Kristine (Gaskill); Joel and Timothy along with several great-grandchildren.
Along with being a home-maker, Lil was quite active within the community of Mason City, Iowa where they had lived from 1948-1975. She volunteered at the town's public library and was a Gray Lady at the Mason City Hospital. She notably "welcomed" Meredith Wilson to the community for the opening of his hit, "Music Man", Based on Mason City. In 1972, Lil and her husband Chuck decided to establish Western Woodcarvings Museum, west of Custer. It is still a family operation as the National Museum of Woodcarvings.
Lillian E. Schaffer enjoyed western history and had a keen interest in nature. She loved playing cards, especially bridge. Throughout her years, she enjoyed traveling and playing golf. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, two sisters, and her husband.
Memorial services will be held at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer, with Pastor Bryce Schaffer officiating. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.
A memorial has been established in Lillian's name to benefit the Custer Regional Hospital in Custer.
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.
Lillian was born December 21, 1920 in St. Pall, MN to parents, John and Christina Johnson. She was the youngest of four children. In 1940, Lillian met Charles Arthur Schaffer. They decided to marry April 12, 1941 and lived in the St. Paul area, until he enlisted in the Marine Corp.
Lillian Schaffer graduated from high school in St. Paul. Although, she was not in the military, she followed her husband to Camp Pendleton Marine Base in San Diego, CA during WWII. She became a "Rosy the Riveter" supervisor for Boeing Aircraft in San Diego.
Lil loved her family. She loved her husband. They were married 66 years. Her husband wrote back in 1978 that he was "thankful to have the most wonderful and understanding life-mate; my wife Lil is 75% of whatever I am or will be." They had two children, Dale (Gloria) of Custer, SD and Bruce (Sarah) of Show Low, AZ. They had five grandchildren, Bryce; Paul; Kristine (Gaskill); Joel and Timothy along with several great-grandchildren.
Along with being a home-maker, Lil was quite active within the community of Mason City, Iowa where they had lived from 1948-1975. She volunteered at the town's public library and was a Gray Lady at the Mason City Hospital. She notably "welcomed" Meredith Wilson to the community for the opening of his hit, "Music Man", Based on Mason City. In 1972, Lil and her husband Chuck decided to establish Western Woodcarvings Museum, west of Custer. It is still a family operation as the National Museum of Woodcarvings.
Lillian E. Schaffer enjoyed western history and had a keen interest in nature. She loved playing cards, especially bridge. Throughout her years, she enjoyed traveling and playing golf. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, two sisters, and her husband.
Memorial services will be held at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer, with Pastor Bryce Schaffer officiating. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.
A memorial has been established in Lillian's name to benefit the Custer Regional Hospital in Custer.
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.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lillian E. Schaffer, please visit our flower store.
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