Funeral services for Clara Schaeffer 96 of Mobridge, SD and formerly of Herreid, SD will be Tuesday at 2:00 PM at Norway Lutheran Church rural Glenham, SD. Pastor Dennis Fonkert officiating. Burial will be in the church Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be Monday from 1:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the funeral Home. Mrs. Schaeffer passed away March 12, 2010 at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.


Clara Gjefle Schaeffer was born on October 15, 1913 on a farm south of Pollock, South Dakota to Thomas and Marit "Maggie" (Byfuglien) Gjefle. She attended grade school at Hillside School and then graduated from Pollock High School in 1932. In 1934 she received her State Certificate from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. For seven years she taught in rural schools in Campbell County. Her credits were transferred from Augustana to Northern State in Aberdeen. By attending summer school and one regular year of classes Clara got her degree from Northern State College in 1942. She continued teaching until 1950, were some of this time was spent in the Civil Service where the teachers stayed in a dormitory with the children, taking turns supervising. The boys and girls helped the cooks prepare morning and evening meals and cared for their rooms as well as their clothes.



In 1950 Clara married Edward Schaeffer and they bought a farm southwest of Herreid. This was their home until they retired and moved into Herreid in 1979. Clara loved to travel and had taken several tours to various parts of the U.S., Canada, and three trips to Europe. The biggest thrill of Clara's life was visiting the birthplace of her Grandmother in Norway. To see the house where she lived, the crude fireplace used for cooking as well as the home made furniture, all that was difficult for Clara to comprehend. When the relatives showed pictures and there was one of herself as a child, then she had to believe this was all real. The old house was fascinating with much of the furniture of long ago still there and in good condition.



Clara is a member of Norway Lutheran Church and a past member of the Peace Lutheran Church in Herreid where she taught Sunday School, was a member of Ladies Aid, American Legion Auxiliary, The Herreid Senior citizens and the Friendly Neighbors Extension club



In October 2000 Clara enter the Prairie Sunset Village and was most thankful to be there where she received such good care.



Clara is survived by two daughters; Linda Schaeffer of Albuquerque, Mew Mexico and Karen Schaeffer of Portland, Oregon, nieces and nephews; Marsha (Karl) Merz, Nola (Jim) Irish, Tom Hay, Danny (Janice) Gjefle, Marilyn (Florian) Voller, Kevin (Denise) Hay, Wally Hay, Ed (Stephanie) Van Beek, Mark Van Beek, Gary (Brenda) Larson, Kathleen LeDoux, Patricia Cartwright, Tom Cartwright, many grandnieces and grandnephews, and sister-in-law; Peggy (Everett) Van Beek of Pollock.



She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1988, brother Carl, two sisters Thelma in 2003 and another sister Thelma in early childhood.



Casketbearers will be Clinton Kost, Larry Odde, Merle Schuetzle, Carl Gjefle, Darrell Haak, and Dennis Haak.



The organist will be Marilyn Brockel and the soloist will be Martin Mickelson.