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Steven M. Schaefer, 82, of Schaller passed away at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Memorial services will take place Saturday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Schaller followed by Inurnment in Schaller Cemetery. Visitation will take place Friday, April 25, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Steven's name to the Schaller Fire and Rescue Squad (101 E. First St.) or First Presbyterian Church in Schaller (100 W. Third St., 51053).
Steven Mason Schaefer was born at Porath Hospital in Storm Lake on Nov. 7, 1942, to Edwin Mason and Donna Louise (Reinhart) Schaefer. Steven, along with his sister Catherine, lived in a small one-bedroom cottage immediately south of the original farm home built by William and Louisa Schaefer in 1875. Steven’s grandparents, Edwin and Laura (Junkermeier) Schaefer, resided in the original farm home until 1951 when they moved to a home in Schaller. After his grandparents relocated to Schaller, Steven and family moved into the farm home "next door." In 1978 Steven’s parents, Mason and Donna, also moved to Schaller, and Steven and family continued the family tradition and moved into the farm home. Portions of the original farm home structure remain to this day on the Schaefer Heritage Farm. Steven was very proud of his family’s 150-year occupancy of the farm and home.
Steven was baptized, attended Sunday School and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Schaller, and remained a lifelong member. Steven was a member of Eden Hotshots 4-H Club, showed a Grand Champion Guernsey Dairy heifer and later a Champion Angus steer. Steven graduated from Schaller Community High School in 1961, later purchasing a 1963 red Chevy Impala two-door hardtop.
After graduation Steven continued to farm alongside his father Mason, and he became the 4th generation of the Schaefer family to work the family farm. Farming was not only a family tradition, but it was his passion and life’s work. Steven’s hard work resulted in High Yield Crop Awards, and he would start each day with updates on market prices for crops and livestock.
Steven and Sandra Whitmer were united in marriage on Sept. 5, 1964, in United Methodist Church in Galva. The couple was blessed with two children, Shannan and Reid. They lived on Steve's farm, until they later moved to the home place.
Steven was an avid fan of anything related to the old west or cowboy culture, which likely started when he and his cousin John would use their guns to guard the house attic from their sisters Catherine and Mary Ann! Consequently, he devoured any media with a western theme. He purchased many western history books when he was traveling.
Steven loved social gatherings and events, and he could not only be counted on to accept an invitation, but to actually attend and participate! Steven authentically valued time spent with friends, as well as enjoying the small, casual and random events. He never missed a class reunion during Popcorn Days. Steven enjoyed trips to local fairs sometimes to watch the people, but often to meet and converse with new people. He loved going to local dances and also liked to trap shoot after he arrived at the Gun Club.
Steven had many joys during his life, but none more than his children, grandchildren and finally, great-grandchildren. Any friend of Steven’s could expect a certain amount of teasing along the way, and he was very adept about remembering their birthdays. Steven was known for his compassion, and he was very quick to extend his greetings or sympathies to others. While a resident at Methodist Manor, he could be counted on to tease his caregivers, but not too much, and mostly with the hope they would tease him back! These caregivers expressed many times after Steve’s passing how much they would miss him and his teasing.
Left to cherish, celebrate and maintain Steven’s memory are his children: daughter Shannan Schmidt of Schaller; son Reid (Christine) Schaefer of Perry; grandchildren: Kennedy Sibbitt Bragg of Omaha, Neb.; Carter Bragg of Cherokee; great-grandchildren: Elva and Opal Sibbitt of Omaha, Neb.; sister Catherine (Allan) Christiansen of Glenwood and their children: Andrew (Sahba) Christiansen and their son, Kian, of Rancho Mission Viejo, Calif.; Matthew (Jodi) Christiansen of Mountain View, Calif.; Mark (Annelise) Christiansen of St. Louis Park, Minn.; first cousins: John Brinkman and family of St. Louis, Mo.; Mary Ann (Joe) Clinton and family of Edina, Minn.; Sandra Marmolejo of Riverside, Calif.; and extended family, cousins and many friends near and far.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents: Edwin and Laura Schaefer, Milton and Helene Reinhart; son-in-law Douglas Schmidt; great-niece Layla Christiansen; Sandra Schaefer (Shannan and Reid’s mother); close aunt and uncle Bill and Dorothy Brinkman; and cousins: Thomas (Velma) Reinhart, Marcia Brinkman and Alex Marmolejo.
