Gerald Schafer

Gerald Robert Schafer was born on March 23, 1928, to Nick and Theresia (Behrendt) Schafer at their home in Panama. Gerald completed 12 years of Catholic education in May of 1946. He worked for local businesses until joining his brother Nick in an Egg and Cream Business. He was married to Ethel Christina Mahlberg (Leo and Anna (Muell) Mahlberg) of Panama at St. Mary's Church on June 20, 1950. They spent all but one year in Panama and that was when he apprenticed for Kloewer Plumbing. He worked at Panama Oil and many local farmers. Gerald owned Panama Produce and Schafer's Cafe before becoming a truck driver for many years in the area retiring finally in 2002.

Gerald was a lifetime member of the St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. He was a fireman since he was 16. He is a past president of Community Club, founding member of the Panama Athletic Association and the Rosman-Glendale County Golf course. He was a long time member of Panama Community Chorus. He was also a two sport athlete as a long time town team basketball player and played semi-pro baseball for among others the Harlan Cardinals.

Gerald died on Sunday, November 30, 2008, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 80 years, eight months and seven days.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ethel in 1990; one sister, Verna Stinn; and one brother, Nick Schafer, Jr. He is survived by his seven children, Robert (Michele) Schafer, Cape Coral, FL, William (Kathy) Schafer, Panama, IA, Deb (Russ) Tremel, Woodbine, IA, Barry (Mary) Schafer San Antonio, TX, June (Bill) Hastert Westphalia, IA, Joy (Jeff) Schaben, Westphalia, IA & Amy Schafer (Craig Rau), Portsmouth, IA; 18 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; one brother, Dan (Norma) Schafer, Loveland, CO; and many other relatives and many, many friends. Since the death of his wife in 1990, he had two special friends, Theola Theulen of Earling and Evelyn Alvis of Woodbine. Jerry will be remembered for his humor, his friendship and his love of his family.

Mass of Christian Burial
10:30 am Thursday, December 4, 2008
St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church
Panama, Iowa

Concelebrants
Rev. Howard Fitzgerald
Rev. John Dorton

Musicians
Jodie Wingert ~ LuAnn Schwery ~ Jean Griesel

Pall Bearers
Mike Schafer ~ Ryan Schafer ~ Jason Hastert
Nick Schaben ~ Daniel Schaben ~ Steve Tremel
Jason Johnsen ~ Tony Denning ~ Randy Schafer

Final Resting Place
St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery
Panama, Iowa