Fern V. Schaefer

SCHAEFER, FERN

Fern V. Schaefer, age 83 of Yankton, SD passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD.

Pallbearers will be – Michael Schaefer, Anthony Schaefer, Josh Goeken, Tyler Goeken, Jacob Lammers, and Weston Heine.

Fern was born on February 18, 1935 to Gerhard and Louise (Hendricks) Buschkamp. She grew up on the family farm near Bloomfield, NE.  She attended school in Bloomfield, NE for 12 years, where she earned her teaching degree. She taught school for one year. She married Ralph Schaefer on November 18, 1953 in Bloomfield, NE. They lived on a farm west of St. Helena until they moved to outside Yankton in 1992.

Fern was a member of the St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Yankton, SD. Ralph and Fern loved to play cards and visit with family members. Fern worked at numerous places in Yankton. She worked at Gurney’s from 1971 to 1989, at the Broadway Inn from 1989 to 1994, and at the Days Inn from 1994 until 2007 when she retired. She loved visiting with people, and she is remembered for her quick wit and great sense of humor.

Fern is survived by 5 children and their spouses, Roxanne and William Walker of Spearfish, SD; Robert and Char Schaefer of Vermillion, SD; Dale and Joan Schaefer of Fordyce, NE; Gary and Michelle Schaefer of Yankton, SD; Sandra Justra of Yankton, SD; 14 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Loraine Buschkamp and Helen Schaefer, and a brother-in-law, Gerald Bruck.

Fern was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, her parents, 4 brothers, and 2 sisters.