Obituary of Allen Schaeffer

Allen was born April 6, 1935 on the family farm near Menno, SD to Ephraim and Evelyn (Oswald) Schaeffer. He was baptized May 30, 1935 by Rev. John Bodenman. He attended rural grade school at Jamesville district #21 in Yankton County where his education began with teaching him to speak English, as only German was spoken at home. Allen professed his faith with confirmation on June 19, 1949 by Erich H. Kaempchen at Salem reformed church in Menno, SD. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at a young age. In 1954 he was married to Violet Hofer at Salem Congregational Church, Parkston SD by Edward J. Eslinger. He farmed 34 years in the Menno Area. In 1957 Allen enlisted in the United States Army Reserve where he served in Btry B 260th FA Bn. His basic training was at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, and Fort Riley, Kansas. He was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves on March 31, 1963. In 1988 they moved to Yankton. Allen was self-employed in the trucking business and later trucked for Utica Grain, and Marquardt Trucking hauling big rock crushers to various locations across the country. Recently he was trucking for Yankton Ag. He loved to drive an eighteen wheeler. His joy was found through his Savior, Jesus Christ, his loving family, and his many animals. He was a faithful loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who instilled his faith in all the lives he touched. He loved being busy and visiting with his friends and family. Always on the go. He was a devoted member of Riverview Reformed Church of Yankton, a member of the American Legion, as well as a member of the Old Iron Tractor Association. His strong will, his “I Said So” teasing, and firm handshake will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He would want to say to all: “machs gut” (in English: “make it good”). Thankful for his love are those he leaves behind, his wife, Violet, of 61 years, two daughters and two sons were born to this union, Nancy Schaeffer, Randy (Angie) Schaeffer, Cherre (Russ) Mayer, Bryan (Cristey) Schaeffer, all of Yankton, three grandchildren, Adam (Carly), Kelsie (Mason), and Braeden, eight step-grandchildren, Dawn (Mike), Jennifer (Jeremy), Aaron, Tyson, Mataya, Jerah, Megan and Keith, one great-grandchild, Wes Allen, as well as another on the way, ten step great-grandchildren, Zach, Isabehl, Grace, Blaise, Bree, Katlynn, Timothy, Peter and Jayce and Addyson, two sisters Lucille (Joe) Hofer, Sioux Falls, SD, Judy (Earl) Nysven, So. Sioux City, NE, one brother Stanley (Karen) Schaeffer, Menno, SD, as well as a host of beloved nieces and nephews, and wonderful extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ephraim in 1995 and Evelyn in 2005, as well as one brother, Milton, in infancy, and one great-nephew, Cole Nelson.