Roger E. Schaefer

Roger E. Schaefer, 82, of Forest City died Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Friday, March 13, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Rev. Rod Hopp officiating.

Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Cataldo Schott Funeral Chapel, 505 North Clark St, Forest City. Interment will be held in Madison Township Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Dollars for Scholars, Food Bank or Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Roger was born June 6, 1932 at Klemme, Iowa to Emery and Caroline (Smid) Schaefer. He was baptized and confirmed at the Reformed Church in Klemme and attended school in Klemme through his freshmen year in high school. In 1947 his family purchased a farm near Forest City, Iowa and he graduated from Forest City High School in 1950. While in high school he played football and was active in FFA; serving as president his senior year.

He was married to Mary Lee Fosse on May 28, 1955 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Forest City, Iowa. Roger and Mary lived in and around Forest City throughout their marriage. He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church assisting as an usher, serving on the property committee, was elected to the Board of Trustees and frequently volunteered where he was needed.

Roger worked a variety of jobs throughout his life. After graduating from high school he worked at North Ag Fertilizer Company, then worked as a plumber and electrician for Langerud Electric while also farming. Roger next worked as a crew leader for Winnebago Housing and later worked in Winnebago Maintenance. In 1974 he started working as Director of Maintenance for Forest City Community Schools remaining in that position until retiring in 1995. After retirement he worked part-time for North Iowa Plumbing, Heating and Electric. In 2003 he was honored for his years of dedication and hard work for the Forest City Community Schools by being inducted into the Forest City Educational Hall of Fame.

He was a previous member of Forest City Jaycee’s, served several terms on the City Planning & Zoning Committee and delivered Meals on Wheels.

Some of the things his family and friends will remember most about Roger were his quick wit, willingness to help those who called with an emergency and his ability to repair almost anything. He would use his years of experience, combined with his own creative solutions, to fix a broken part or solve a construction problem quickly and inexpensively. They will also miss the annual Christmas treats he made; caramel puff corn and fudge.

Roger and Mary spent many summers at Clarke’s Campground near Elysian, MN. Roger enjoyed fishing and having family and friends come to visit. He spent many hours in their boat pulling his grandchildren and their friends on water tubes and teaching them how to waterski.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Mary, his children David and wife Valerie of Clear Lake, Timothy and wife Jodi of Morton, IL, Lori and husband Wadie Thomas Jr. of Omaha, NE and Paul and wife Shonda of Grapevine, TX. He will also be remembered by 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren: Brad (Kristen) and their son Henry, Matthew (Sammie), Allison, Erin, Amanda (Jeff), Andrew, Emily, Tyler, Alex, Victoria, Sarah (Jimmy) Baker and their daughters Lily and Lucy, Evette (Marcus) Secret and their son Zavy, Marquis (Sarah) Thomas and Tameka Thomas (Deandre) and their son Mason. Also remembering him are his brothers Don of Bettendorf, IA and Harvey and wife Ole of Forest City, sister-in-law Joan Swanson of Forest City, and brother-in-law Doug Fosse and his wife Carol of Grand Forks, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents Emery and Caroline Schaefer; his brother, Elwyn and his wife Marilyn; sister-in-law, Mary Schaefer; brother-in-law, Ronald Swanson and by his parents-in-law, Harry and Bertha Fosse.