Darlene Schaeffer

Darlene Schaeffer, 88, of Yankton, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton. Visitation was 5-7 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2024, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home in Yankton and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Funeral services were 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at the United Church of Christ (Congregational) with Pastor Jacqueline Hickox-Morgan officiating. Burial was at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at the Menno Cemetery in Menno. Online condolences may be sent to www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Livestreaming of Darlene’s funeral service may be viewed at: https://server.attend.live/static/event/5yWkX.

Darlene Delores (Tschetter) Schaeffer was born September 23, 1936 on a farm near Bridgewater, SD to Barbara J. (Gross) and Paul P. Tschetter. The family moved to town and Darlene attended Bridgewater schools. Darlene was baptized and became a member of Neu Hutterthaler Church near Bridgewater in 1952. After graduation from Bridgewater High School on May 24, 1954, she attended Freeman Junior College and received her teaching degree in May 1955.

She taught school for 5 years: 3 in a rural school near Menno where she met Victor Schaeffer who was to become her husband, and 2 years near Arlington, SD.

Darlene married Victor on August 10, 1958 at the Salem Reformed Church in Menno. They celebrated their 66th anniversary this year. Darlene taught near Arlington while Victor completed his degree in Brookings. She was an excellent homemaker, creating a loving and comfortable home.

After Victor and Darlene moved to Rock Valley, Iowa, they adopted their daughter Julie Ann in 1966. 1967 brought a move to Eagle Grove, where they lived when they adopted Joel Allen in 1969. Victor taught school and Darlene again created a loving and warm home. They were members of the United Church of Christ in Eagle Grove and Darlene was active in Ladies’ Circle, Women’s Guild, Bible studies, and a longtime Sunday school teacher, leading the pre-school class for twenty-three years.

Darlene was always a teacher at heart. While still teaching Sunday school, she began working at the Eagle Grove Child Care center, also teaching pre-schoolers the colors and shapes. She worked there for 11 years teaching hundreds of children over that time. It was common for Darlene to see children she’d taught almost everywhere she ventured in town and they often called her by name or the eponymous “Teacher”. She loved working with children, including her grandchildren, and had the best coloring sheets, crafts, and holiday themed activities organized for them.

Upon Victor’s retirement from teaching, Darlene and Victor moved to Yankton, SD and became members of the United Church of Christ. Darlene was active in the church and the Senior Adult group.

Darlene always loved to play games: cards, board games, and dominos. She had a competitive spirit and giddily celebrated her successes. Darlene had a knack for numbers and always kept an accurate and precise score. Her children, grandchildren, and friends far and wide marveled at Darlene’s dessert-making prowess, as she always had a sweet treat ready after meals or as a snack break in the afternoons. She was detail oriented and had an accurate record of birthdays, anniversaries, and important events which she recognized with a card mailed off to the honoree on time, without fail, year after year. Her kindness and thoughtfulness will be remembered by many.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Paul P. and Barbara Tschetter; sisters Betty (Erwin) Gross, Elsie (Eli) Wipf, Marie (James) Hayes, Susie (Hofer) Bunger; brothers Paul S. (Susie), Dave, Solomon, Melvin, and Edwin Tschetter; and brothers-in-law Kenneth Wallmann and Orval Graber.

Darlene is survived by her beloved husband Victor, children Julie (Brian) Keith of Des Moines, Iowa, and Joel Schaeffer of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; and grandchildren Noah, Mathilda, Elijah, and Tabitha Keith, and stepgrandson Cody Keith of Niceville, Florida. She is also survived by three dear sisters: Evelyn Wallmann of Huron; Diane Graber of Winner; and Judy (Allen) Schofield of Chamberlain; as well as brother-in-law Wilmer Bunger of Emery; and sisters-in-law Edna Tschetter of Huron and LaVonne Tschetter of Freeman, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.