Max C. Schaf

Max Christopher Schaf will forever be the adored son of Chris Schaf and Chantel (Bueligen) Schaf as well as the beloved brother of Ana Schaf. Max was born November 16, 2010, and passed away unexpectedly on October 2, 2023, while he was enjoying one of his favorite hobbies. He was a 7th grader at Mandan Middle School.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Evangel in Bismarck. Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery, south of Mandan.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 PM on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Time of Sharing at 7 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

There are endless words to describe Max during his short, beautiful life. He continuously wore a warm smile and was a bright light to so many people. His heart of gold was evident as he cared so deeply about those he loved. Max spread perpetual kindness wherever he went. He loved to be silly, make others laugh, and tell funny jokes. Max fully embraced his life and participated in every adventure he could. He had abundant energy that allowed him to enjoy many activities including riding his street bike, hiking and climbing, swimming, skipping rocks, exploring old buildings and farmsteads, going to rummage sales, and finding treasures with his metal detector. Max loved to be at his farm and ride his dirt bike, hunt, cut down trees, run with the dogs, and build things with others. Max was also passionate about playing video games, watching scary movies, cooking with family, playing with RC cars, Legos, Hot Wheels, and Nerf guns, and was fascinated with taking things apart to see how they worked. He was wholly giving of love and would often ask for cuddles. The positive and irreplaceable impact that Max had on family, friends, and strangers is immeasurable.

Blessed to have shared in his life are his parents, Chris Schaf and Chantel (Bueligen) Schaf, both of Mandan; sister, Ana Schaf; grandparents, Clyde Schaf, Birgit (Koch) Schaf, Jill (Zachmeier) and Morris Magnus; and Delvin and Becki (Anderson) Bueligen; aunt and uncle, Naomi (Bueligen) Marks and fiance, Ryan Michel, with cousins, Elliot, Emma, and Eva Marks; uncle, Justin Bueligen with cousin, Brooklynne Bueligen; uncles, Alex (Schaf) and Robert Beaubien; uncle and aunt, John and Lindsay (Leingang) Schaf with cousins, Johnathan and Evelyn Schaf; and step great-grandparents, Rick and Char (Paulson) Anderson.

Max was preceded in death by his aunt, Rachel Bueligen; great-grandparents, Richard and Barbara (Meek) Zachmeier, Richard and Fern (Hagerott) Bueligen, John and Margaret (Leingang) Schaf, and Hans and Renate (Bauer) Koch.

Memorials are preferred to the family that will be used at a later date to create a memorial for Max. 

Max’s wonderful and giving spirit lives on through his gift of organ donation.