Loretta A. Schaffer

Loretta A. Schaffer, age 94 of Miesville, died peacefully on Wednesday morning, February 14, 2018, at Augustana Care of Hastings. Born in Ellsworth, Wisconsin on September 1, 1923, Loretta was the middle child of Carl and Mary Loretta "Etta" (Saxton) Yanisch. Her sister, Iva Marie, and brother Jerry, preceded her in death. They lived in Red Wing, where Loretta attended school. Upon completion of high school, she attended Red Wing Teacher College. After graduation, she taught one-room schoolhouse in Goodhue County for five years. She met her husband, Eugene A. Schaffer roller skating at Bellchester. They were married September 3, 1946, and celebrated 54 years of marriage until his death in June 2001. Loretta moved to the farm in Miesville and lived there for 70 years. She said she never had to turn the light on at night because she knew every nook and cranny in the house. She was often teased about being a "city slicker" who became a farm wife. Their marriage was about love and partnership. Every morning she was in the milk house cleaning the milkers and in the summer on the tractor baling hay. Community service was important to Loretta. As a member of St. Josephs Catholic Church in Miesville, she was active in the Ladies Circle where she chaired the Summer Chicken Dinner and Festival. Eugene was a church trustee and Loretta helped with church financials. She and Eugene were both involved in the Catholic Aid Society and St. Joseph Bible Study. When Douglas 4-H Club, the second oldest 4-H club in Dakota County was on the verge of closing, Loretta and Eugene took over the leadership. 4-H became part of their familys DNA and long-lasting friendships were formed for the entire family. Loretta and Eugene were both 4-H leaders for over 30 years. Her children marveled at the fact that she could drive back and forth to Farmington during the Dakota County Fair, five times a day. Loretta volunteered and judged at both Cannon Valley Fair and the Dakota County Fair. She was involved in the University of Minnesota Extension programs and the Dakota County One- Room School House Heritage Village in Farmington. She was named one-room school house teacher of the year by the Dakota City Heritage Village. She taught as a volunteer in the one-room school at the Dakota County Fairgrounds for visiting classes from all over the country. Loretta volunteered for DARTS in Hastings, was an election judge, and participated in many community service projects. She and Eugene hosted foreign exchange students through the University of Minnesota as well as students and professors through the Minnesota International Center. She taught her family through example that community service was important. Loretta and Eugene were blessed to have a core group of friends who got together monthly for cards, snowmobile adventures, picnics in the woods, fishing and vacations. They shared a love of adventure and nature. This group extended to their children and grandchildren and they taught everyone the importance of friendship and caring. When the farm needed to have a name for its registered Holsteins, she created the name ELMEGCA Farm by using the first letters of all of the family members (Eugene, Loretta, Mary, Elaine, George, Carol, Allen). Loretta and Eugene have five children, all who survive her; Mary C. Schaffer and husband Wayne Walls; George Schaffer; Carol and Jim Stoffel, their two children Robin and Joe Neuenfeldt and Shawn and Annette Stoffel; Elaine and Jack Manovich and son Nick Manovich; and Allen and Sharon Schaffer and sons Jeffrey and Nicole Schaffer, Jason and Jessica Schaffer and Justin Schaffer. She has nine great grandchildren, Ben and James Neuenfeldt, Julianna and Brianna Stoffel, Brooke and Alexis Schaffer and future baby Schaffer in July, Triston, Owen and Mason Schaffer. Loretta was the last surviving aunt or uncle on both Schaffer and Yanisch sides of her family and is survived by many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 17, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Miesville. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening, and will continue for one hour prior to Mass on Saturday morning, ALL AT CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to Miesville Volunteer Fire Department (14221 240th St E, Hastings, MN 55033), or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are being completed by Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings.