Claude Schafer

Claude F. Schafer, 96, of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 28th, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial will be at Lansing Ridge Cemetery, rural Lansing, IA. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Friday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Claude Fredrick Schafer was born November 18, 1921, on the family farm in Center Township, Lansing, IA, the son of Carl and Barbara (Kehr) Schafer. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1939. During his high school years he provided custodial services at the Waukon Hotel for room and board; entertaining guests by playing his accordion was also part of his duties. After graduation, Claude joined his father running the 200 acre farm. On December 24, 1942, he married the love of his life Bernice Mae Bauman at the Presbyterian parsonage in Lansing. After his father's death, Claude purchased this farm with its landmark yellow barn that he and Bernice ran until they retired to Waukon in 1998. During the war years, besides crops and dairy cows, he raised hogs to butcher and make into hickory smoked sausage using an old family recipe. Together, Claude and Bernice grew a large vegetable garden, sweet corn, and strawberries. He ventured into growing crown vetch as a cash crop, the seeds used as a ground cover to prevent erosion. Of the many animals he raised on his farm, his favorite by far were capons, increasing his flocks through the years up to 12,000 birds. After retirement Claude began providing transportation services for the local Amish community, considering the many friends he made to be a blessing in his life.

In his youth, Claude was a member of the German Presbyterian Church in Lansing and was a current member of First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, where he served as an elder. His faith was an anchor in his life and led him to minister by example and preaching the word. He was also on the Waukon Good Samaritan Society advisory board for over 20 years. Music was so important to him throughout his life; he loved to sing and was a member of the choir at First Presbyterian Church. He also belonged to a small Gospel group, singing for various churches while Bernice accompanied on the piano. He and Bernice enjoyed traveling with friends, making trips to Mexico, Europe, Hawaii, and especially enjoyed yearly trips to Branson, MO.

Claude is survived by his two daughters: Claudia (Jay Fotland) Newton of La Crescent, MN, and Clarice (Michael Czora) Pettingill of Golden Valley, MN; two grandchildren: Sara (Michael) Jones and Brian (Jessica) Pettingill; and five great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Josephine, and Caleb Jones and Charlee and Leah Pettingill. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Bernice in 2017; his sister Bernice (George) Thompson; and his brother Earl (Helen) Schafer.

Honorary casketbearers are the cherished members of the Amish community. Casketbearers are Brian and Mark Pettingill, Michael Jones, Patrick and Ryan Troendle, and Randy Van Ruler.