Marvin Schafer

Marvin Walter Schafer, 89, of St. Charles, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 20^th, at Season’s Hospice in Rochester.

Marvin was born March 24th, 1934, to Herman and Elsie Schafer. He was the youngest of 8 children. The family farmed North of Dover, and Marvin attended country school through 8^th grade.

As he became an adult, he went to work in Winona, where he met his wife Jean Niemeyer. They were married April 16, 1955. . Marvin was drafted into the Army in 1956, and after basic training, was shipped to Pirmasens, Germany, where he spent the next 2 years. While in Germany, Jean gave birth to their son, Jeffrey. Marvin and Jean divorced a few years later.

Marvin met the love of his life, Jeanette Thayer, one Easter Sunday. They later married March 25^th, 1967, moved to Oronoco then St. Charles, and had 3 children. During their life together, he worked for several construction companies, a few farmers, and eventually, he retired from Benson Farm Service in Lewiston.

When he wasn’t working, Marvin was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved to be out in the boat on a lake, or in the woods enjoying nature. For several years, he taught Advanced Hunter Education. He was also talented at building and fixing things.

Marvin is survived by his wife Jeanette, his children Jeffrey (Nancy) Schafer, Troy (Beth Clark) Schafer, Dawn (Britt) Olson, and Teri (Eugene) Bronk, his grandchildren Jennifer Parkhurst, Jeffrey Schafer, Britt Olson Jr, Sam Olson, Kolby Olson, Todd Olson, Savannah Bronk, and Zane Bronk, 8 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Elsie Schafer, his siblings Beatrice McDougal, Evelyn (Cyril) Andring, Roy (Lillian) Schafer, Beulah (Raymond) Kampa, Violet (Elroy) Balk, Inez (Alton) Loppnow, and Orrin Schafer.

Services will be held Tuesday, February 27^th, 2024, at 1pm at Hoff Funeral Home in St. Charles. Visitation will be before the service from 11am-1pm. Marvin will be interred at Saratoga Cemetery with military honors.