Obituary of Edgar H Schaeffer

Edgar H. Schaeffer, age 85 of Sioux Falls and formerly of Menno went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 28, 2017, while in the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls after a long battle with cancer.  Funeral service will be at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Peace Christian Reformed Church, Menno with Rev. Steve Moerman officiating.  Burial will be in the Menno Cemetery.  Visitations will be from 5 PM-7:30 PM, Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at the Peace Christian Reformed Church, Menno with the family present.  Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.  Aisenbrey-Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Menno is in care of the arrangements.  Online condolences may be sent at www.opsahl-kostelfunerlhome.com.

Edgar was born February 19, 1932 to Henry J. and Emma (Bender) Schaeffer on the family farm near Menno, SD and he was born in the US (upstairs) and was received into the Kingdom of Grace through the rite of baptism on April 3, 1932 by Pastor Bodemann at the Salem Reformed Church near Menno. He reaffirmed that vow through the rite of confirmation in June of 1946 with Pastor Kempherr. Edgar attended country school until fourth grade, then the Olivet School until 8th grade, after his family moved from southeast Menno to southwest Olivet.

Edgar married his sweetheart, Elda Streyle, on February 22, 1953. Edgar and Elda worked side-by-side on the family farm and raised their two children, Mark Lynn and Cindy Lou. Edgar and Elda moved to Menno in 1980, but still continued to be involved on the farm. Elda passed away on October 17th, 1990.

Edgar married Donna Krahling on February 29, 1992, and they resided in Menno until 2006 when they moved to Yankton. In 2016, Edgar and Donna moved to Sioux Falls to Trail Ridge Senior Living Community. Edgar enjoyed the activities at Trail Ridge, especially Men’s Bible Study and hymn sing-a-longs.

Edgar and Donna were instrumental in starting the South Dakota Excel Campers Club. They traveled the state with fellow campers.

While residing in Menno, Edgar was very involved in the community. He served on the church council for many years in several capacities, the co-op board for 24 years and the BY Water Board. He was active in his children’s education by serving on the school board at Pleasant Hill Country School. He served on the city council in Menno and also enjoyed working at the Menno Pioneer Power Show site, to lend his carpentry skills wherever needed.

Edgar and Donna wintered in Texas for 23 years. He really enjoyed playing shuffle board and attending balloon and kite festivals.

Edgar enjoyed many things, especially farming and his love of the land. You wouldn’t have to ask him twice to go golfing with friends, family, and grandchildren. He also enjoyed woodworking – the whole family has some wooden keepsake that he made with love. A special project was making a crèche for his great-grandchildren so they could display their nativity set.

Edgar was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Elda; his brothers, Ervin, Ray, and Walter; his sisters, Augusta Bertsch, Olinda Auch, Freida Schmeichel, and Clara Friesen; 5 nephews; and 4 nieces.

Those who mourn his loss are his wife, Donna; children; Mark (Trudi) Schaeffer and Cindy (Mark) Ulmer; step children: Carla (Kent) Hilbrands and Curtis (Doreen) Krahling.

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brad (Tanya) Hannah and Hadley Schaeffer; Daniel (Nicole) Austin Pillsbury, Madison and Corwin Schaeffer; Luke (Desiree) Elliana Schaeffer; Jessica (Andrew) Bruzek, Jemma, Jayda, and Jersey, Tyler Ulmer (Fiance Heidi) and Aiden; Step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Breanne Johnson, Gavin, Maddox, and Jacoby; Austin and Mitch Hilbrands, Rocky (Tempest) Zoee, Razzy Kruse, Brooke Kruse and Elijah and Taylor Kruse.

His sisters, Arlene (Vern) Haase; Alitha Petersen, and brothers, Ted (Mildred) Schaeffer, and LeRoy (Nancy) Schaeffer. Brothers-in-law, Dennis (LaDonna) and Larry (Connie) Van Meeteren, sister-in-law, Betty Van Meeteren and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Alpha Center, 3405 S Kiwanis Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57105 and The Gideons in care of Peace Christian Reformed Church, Menno, SD.