Schaefer, Victor Herman

Victor Herman Schaefer was born Sept. 24, 1924, near Conroy, Iowa, the son of William J. and Frieda Anna (Sandersfeld) Schaefer. He attended St. John's Lutheran School, Homestead, through the 8th grade with his 11 classmates. In 1944, Victor enlisted in the U.S. Army and started his military career at Fort Sill, Okla., with basic training lasting 17 weeks. After furlough he departed to Japan for two years where he was a part of the Pack Artillery/Mountain Outfit in Japan. There were 53 in his battery and they were located south of Yokohama. After returning to the U.S. in 1947, he went back home and helped with the family farm.

Victor was asked to be the best man for his Uncle Paul's wedding and they traveled to Frohna, Mo., for the celebration. The maid of honor was a beautiful single gal, Myrta, who became his wife on April 25, 1948. They were married for 53 years before Myrta's passing in 2001 and were blessed to have four children.

Victor was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Homestead.

Vic died Friday, Oct. 18, 2013 (the same day as his mother in 1960), at Highland Ridge Care Center, Williamsburg, at the age of 89 years.

He is survived by three daughters, Grace Schaefer of Orleans, Mass., Jane (Jim) Welsh of Amana and Julie Driscoll of Middle Amana; a daughter-in-law, Sue Schaefer of Williamsburg; three grandchildren, Lucas (Katie) Schaefer of Cedar Rapids, Kristina (Nick) Warnemunde of Des Moines and Evan Schaefer of Tempe, Ariz.; a great-grandson, Joel Schaefer; a sister, Alice Bier of Fresno, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Esther Schaefer of Ladora, Lois Schaefer of Williamsburg and Norma Mueller of St. Louis; a nephew, Bill (Robyn) Schaefer of Conroy, who was considered the “other son” to Victor; and many other special nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his parents; his wife, Myrta; a son, Joel Schaefer; daughter-in-law, Barb Schaefer; son-in-law, Terry Driscoll; two brothers, Hilbert Schaefer and Ralph Schaefer; an infant sister, Elisa Schaefer; and a brother-in-law, Ruben Mueller.

Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Homestead. Pastor Terry Small will officiate. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, with military rites by VFW Iburg Poulson Post 8797. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg.

A memorial fund has been established for St. John's Lutheran Church.

Messages and tributes may be left at under obituaries.

Published Oct. 20, 2013 in The Gazette