Harold George Schaefer

HAROLD GEORGE SCHAEFER

Cedar Rapids

Harold George Schaefer, 93, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Conroy, Iowa, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood, 520 Wilson Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at First Lutheran Church, 1000 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, with Pastor Craig Brown officiating. Burial: First Lutheran Church Cemetery in Conroy, with military rites. Livestream link: https://firstlutherancr.online.church/

Harold was born July 17, 1928, in Conroy, the son of Karl and Paula (Burgy) Schaefer. He attended Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from Hilton Consolidated School in Conroy. Harold also attended Kirkwood Community College (formerly Iowa Business College) and Coe College. He served in the United States Army from 1944-1946 during World War II. Harold was united in marriage to Joyce Olson on Sept. 18, 1947, at First Lutheran Church near Conroy. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Harold worked for Buresh Rental and International Harvester, served as Cedar Rapids City Clerk from 1959-1972, Commissioner of Accounts and Finances from 1972-1990, and ended his career at Allen Motor Company. Hal always was so proud while on the city council that Cedar Rapids had a AAA Bond rating.

Harold was the past President of Iowa Municipalities Officers Association, Iowa League of Municipalities, and the South Side Civic Club. Harold served on the board of directors for the Metropolitan YMCA, Ellis YMCA, Cedar Rapids Convention Bureau, and Cottage Grove Place. He was a Boy Scout Institutional Representative, a member of the VFW, American Legion, Mizpah Lodge, Knight Commander 32nd Degree Consistory, El Kahir Shrine, High Twelve Club, Jesters, Color Guard, Camelots, and Traveling Men's Club. Harold was a past exalted ruler of the ELKS. He loved to golf, travel, and play cards.

Survivors include his wife of 74 years, Joyce Schaefer; children, the Rev. Jeffrey Lee (Debra) Schaefer of Reno, Nev., and Jill Ann (Greg) Cross of La Quinta, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; and special family friend, Hilda Pivaral.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Paula Schaefer; sister, Helen Davenport; and brothers-in-law, James Davenport, Bill Olson, Ray Kelly, and Myron Rathjen.

Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or Elks Lodge 251.

Please share a memory of Harold at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.