Carol Schafer

Carol Schafer, age 90, of Mahnomen, Minnesota, died Friday, February 26, 2021, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

Carol Jean Nelson was born August 21, 1930, in Eagle Grove, Iowa, the daughter of Albin and Tillie (Larson) Nelson.  Growing up, her school years were spent attending rural school through the 8th grade followed by high school at Eagle Grove, where she graduated with the class of 1948.  Carol furthered her education by earning a Bachelor of Arts at St. Olaf College in 1952.  She met Robert Schafer on a blind date and the couple dated for a time before they were united in marriage on July 14, 1952.  When they were first married, Bob continued to earn his college degree while Carol taught Jr. High School in Lakeville, Minnesota.  Then Bob’s employment took the young couple to Worthington, Minnesota, followed by Marshall, Minnesota, before they settled in Mahnomen.  On January 1, 1956, Bob began managing Oak Crest Farm of Schermerhorn Farms and in 1965 the farm and cattle were sold to Oxley Hereford Ranch and he and Carol continued to manage the day-to-day operations and raise their family of five children.  In addition to doing all the recordkeeping for the ranch, keeping up with the children and their activities, Carol also worked as a substitute teacher in the Mahnomen Public School for many years.  In 2003, the cattle were sold and they began to slow down.  They continued to make their home on the ranch and enjoyed several winters in Arizona.  Only recently, as Carol’s health declined, she moved to the nursing home.  

Carol was a member of First Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, was the choir director and part of the WELCA.  She was also active with the Rosedale Roses, Rosedale 4-H Club, Mahnomen Historical Society and the community theatre.  She was a member of the American Hereford Association Auxiliary and can be credited with an active part in starting the Minnesota Chapter of the association.   

Carol was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with great creativity and enthusiasm.  Not many moms can take credit for teaching their sons to high jump or for teaching their grandkids and “greats” how to spiderwalk!  Carol was well rounded in everything she did.  She liked cooking, baking, gardening and canning.  She also enjoyed traveling, dancing, fishing, playing board games, yard games and cards.  Carol was very artistic and an accomplished painter and seamstress, completing many great keepsakes.  She excelled at embroidery, needlepoint, quilting and hardanger along with oil and watercolor paintings and rosemaling.  Carol also had a love for music and shared her talents by playing the piano, singing and directing the choir at church.  Over the years, Carol had many hobbies she enjoyed but spending time with her family was most precious to her.  She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. 

Carol is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bob, of Mahnomen; two daughters, Barb Voll of Watford City, North Dakota, and Jean (Eric) Pucek of Jeannette, Pennsylvania; three sons: Don (Becky) Schafer of Baker City, Oregon, Ron (Cindy) Schafer of Mahnomen and Mark (Nola) Schafer of Flasher, North Dakota; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Lester (Kathleen) Schafer of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota; one sister-in-law, Marjorie Nelson of Ames, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers and one sister.

Blessed be the memory of Carol Schafer.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021, at First Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, MN.  A Time of Gathering will be held Thursday, March 4, 2021, from 5-7 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Mayo Clinic, Mahnomen Historical Society or First Lutheran Church of Mahnomen.

Following all Covid-19 safety protocols, social distancing will be practiced, and all must wear a mask to participate.  The service will be recorded and available on the website shortly after the service. 

Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Arrangements entrusted to Anderson Family Funeral Home

in Mahnomen. Online website: www.andersonfamilyfh@arvig.net