Clarence C. Schafer, 88, Avon, MN

Funeral Services were held Monday, June 25, 2012 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids for Clarence C. Schafer, age 88, who passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House, near St. Augusta. Rev. Harvey Ehlers officiated and burial followed at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls.

Clarence was born Feb. 15, 1924 in Brainerd. He was raised by Charles & Minnie Schafer in rural Sauk Rapids. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WW II. Clarence married Marie Barthel on June 28, 1944 in Shreveport, LA. He was a farmer for 30 years and worked at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center in food service for 18 years. Clarence lived near Avon for most of his life. He was a member of the St. Cloud Police Reserves, St. Cloud VFW Post 428, Waite Park American Legion Post 428, former member of St. Cloud Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 662, and several equestrian clubs. Clarence was a compassionate, humble gentleman who enjoyed dancing, gardening, horses and boxing in his younger years. He had a great sense of humor and loved spending time with his family, visiting and talking about old times. He had a great love for children and babies.
Survivors include his sons and daughters, Robert (Pam) of St. Cloud, Lowell (Linda) of Bozeman, MT, Vera of St. Joseph, Charlotte (George) Minier of East Grand Forks, Larry of St. Joseph, Deb (Jim) Stevens of Minneapolis, and Denise (Tim) Bieniek of Holdingford; brothers and sisters, Ralph (Mary Jane) Hagen of Crookston, Vernon (Pat Kaiser) Hammett of Toledo, OR, Ruby (George) Johnson of Olympia, WA, Marge (Don) Vest of Olympia, WA, Marian Hale of Olympia, WA, Donna (Doug) Henke of Providence, UT and Chuck (Delores) Schafer of St. Cloud; nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marie on Feb. 19, 2000 and several siblings.