Adam Schafer

Adam M. Schafer, 92, of Flasher and Mandan, entered eternal life on September 22, 2018 in the compassionate care of the staff at Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin, North Dakota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Flasher, ND with Rev. Dennis Schafer as celebrant. Burial will follow at the St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, and then from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Flasher, ND with a Rosary/Parish Vigil service at 7:00 pm.

Adam was born to Michael J. and Barbara (Fix) Schafer on  October 22, 1925, and was raised on the homestead in Grant County, learning farming/ranching from his parents.  When rural electrification came to the area Adam earned his Journeyman’s License under the tutelage of Lawrence Engelman, a Master Electrician, who introduced him to his sister, Helen. Adam was united in marriage to Helen E. Engelman on November 28, 1950, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New England.  Together they operated the farm and ranch northwest of Flasher. To this union were born Kathleen, Nancy, David, Dennis, Bill, Randal, Bernard, Linda, and +Ronald.

Adam had a great pitching arm during his youth; one Sunday evening he pitched a double header. His arm was never the same!   Adam loved to learn and diligently studied all things electronic and aviation- related.  He was intellectually curious, often asking his sons about the meaning of words he read or heard.  He was an avid reader of non-fiction and marveled at technological change he witnessed.

Adam walked with God! In the Scriptures we are told that before the Fall, Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the evenings.  His namesake, too, walked with God his entire life.  A man of deep faith, as a fifth grade student at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic boarding school in Fallon, he resolved to live as if “the most important thing in life is to save your soul.”  He was the head of the family, leading us in prayer and the acceptance of God’s will.  He was often heard to say that we have to accept what God sends us!  His mother’s teaching: ‘pray three Hail Mary’s every night to know your vocation’ was carried out by his children, at meals together, three times a day, every day.  He lived his faith quietly; how many times did he answer the neighbor’s call for help, troubleshooting electrical problems at any hour of the day or night? How did they work it out to share the purchase of farm machinery and the work load with neighbors? He was happy also to use his welding skills for neighboring farmers and ranchers.

Many a cold winter noon or late afternoon he could be seen standing in the narrow entryway of the house swinging his arms and legs by turn, trying to restore feeling after coming in from below-zero temperatures caring for his cattle. A master at making ice cream, Dad taught his family that and much more in a quiet way. He taught us how to love our spouses. He taught us how to care for our children and grandchildren. He taught us to drive Chevys and tractors. He taught us how to play Gin Rummy.  He taught us to persevere in whatever task was set before us.  “My dad can do anything!” That was the mantra of at least one daughter, but the conviction of all his children and  grandchildren .  Dad was always learning something new; always tinkering with machines and motors; he was always looking for ways to improve his equipment and tools.

Remember Dad’s hands? They were huge! They were softer now in the last years; he didn’t need, any longer, to soak in Epsom Salts all those cuts and bruises acquired “all in a days’ work.”  These hands could cuddle a grandchild and fix a fence, milk a cow and handle a mouse (both kinds) with ease and practiced know-how.  Dad also extended his hands to receive his Eucharistic King and fingered the beads of a Rosary daily.  May he soon walk with God for all eternity!

Adam is survived by his children Kathy (Lloyd) Zimmerman, Mott; Sister Jean Louise Schafer, OSF, Rugby/Hankinson; David (Lorraine) Schafer, Eden Prairie, MN; Rev. Dennis Schafer, Flasher; Bill (fiancée, Suzann Keller, of Bismarck) Schafer, Lincoln;  Randy (Darla) Schafer, Flasher; Bernie (Colleene) Schafer, Bismarck;  Linda (Steven) Seehafer, Drake, and daughter-in-law, Kim Schafer, Bismarck, ND.

Grandchildren include: Brian (Rebecca) Zimmerman, Ben (Farah) Zimmerman, Jill Zimmerman, Daniel (Nicole) Schafer, Teresa Schafer, Michael (Rossana) Schafer, Weston (Kristin) Schafer, Kayla (Palmer) Henke, Jake (Ashley) Schafer, Levi Schafer, Jessica (Eric) Salwei, Samantha Seehafer, Sydney Seehafer, Cole (Stephanie) Schafer and Megan Schafer. Great-grandchildren include: Adam Zimmerman; Helen, Ryland & Ruth Schafer, Olivia Rosa-Schafer; Noah & Leah Henke; and Eleanor & Harper Salwei.

Adam will be deeply missed by his children, grand & great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary Frank, Margie (Andy) Schweitzer, Jeanie (Matt) Kraft, and John, all Bismarck, and Jim (Marie) Fort Myers, FL; sister-in-law, Clara Schafer, and brother-in-law, Lawrence Engelman, both Bismarck; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Adam was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Helen; son, Ron; 2 infant sons; his sister Sister Charlene (Caroline) Schafer S.Sp.S.; brothers, Leo, Otto, Pete (Vivian), Richard (Gavis), sisters-in-law, Ardys Schafer, Marie Krebs and Ruby Engelman and brothers-in-law, John Krebs and Anthony Frank.

The family is very grateful for the wonderful care Adam received at both Edgewood Assisted Living in Mandan and Jacobson Memorial Care Center in Elgin.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to St. Lawrence Parish, 421 Court Street, Flasher, ND, 58535