Rose Schaffer

Rose Schaffer 98 year old resident of Coon Rapids, MN formerly of Little Falls, MN passed away September 13, 2012 at St. Therese’s Home in New Hope, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 A.M. on Monday, September 17, 2012 at Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids, MN with Father Thomas Dufner officiating. Burial will take place in the Epiphany Parish Cemetery in Coon Rapids, MN. Friends may call from 10-11 A.M. on Monday at Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids, MN. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Rose K. Schaffer was born on March 26, 1914 in Solon, ND to the late Joseph and Mathilda (Schneider) Kary. Rose was united in marriage to Paul J. Schaffer on June 6, 1933. During the early years of their married life, they moved several times in search of work. They eventually moved to Little Falls, MN. Paul and Rose had nine children, Alex, Dick, Elmer, Diane, Paul, Mary, Lynda, Kathy, and Gerry. When Rose became a widow at the age of 51, she quickly learned how to become an independent woman, getting her driver’s license late in life and raising her 5 youngest children on her own. After raising her family, Rose became active in Christian Mothers and sewed clothes for charity. Her hobbies were knitting, crocheting, and quilting, and she loved sharing all of her beautiful pieces of handiwork with her family. She was able to do more traveling after her children were grown and took many trips around the world with senior groups traveling to such places as Canada, Hawaii, and Rome. Rose was also an avid reader and one of her favorite books was the Bible. She spent many hours even in her later years at St. Therese Nursing Home at the reading machine. Rose loved visiting with people and could carry on a conversation about any world event. Rose, affectionately known as “Grandma Rose” was best known for her cooking and baking. She loved teaching her children how to cook and bake all the wonderful German recipes she grew up making for her family starting at age twelve. Since Grandma Rose learned how to cook and bake by tasting and adding ingredients until something “looked right” or “tasted right”, her family has spent many years trying to get her to put her recipes in writing, but she always said it wouldn't turn out if she measured the ingredients. Fortunately, a few of her recipes have found their way into our homes but nothing will ever taste as good as Grandma Rose’s cooking. Rose is survived by children, Alex (Esther) Schaffer of Alexandria, MN, Dick (Rhoda) Schaffer of Chanhassen, MN, Elmer (Terry) Schaffer of Little Falls, MN, Diane (Larry) DeRosier of Andover, MN, Paul (Sook) Schaffer of Chicago, IL, Mary (Roger) Hansgard of Dayton, MN, Lynda Schaffer of Coon Rapids, MN, and Kathy (Dave) Zimmer of Royalton, MN; sisters, Lorraine Kahl and Madeline Monzolowsky both of Mandan, ND; 24 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Rose is preceded in death by husband, Paul Schaffer (1965); beloved youngest son, Gerry (2011); grandson, Johnny; and brothers and sisters. The family wishes to thank all of the St. Therese of New Hope guardian angels who took care of her, including Andrea, Leanne, Leah, Megan, Barb, and many other nurses and aids who looked after her during her 5 years at St. Therese. Also, a special thanks to Sister Louise and Father Mathew Ehmke who always made sure she had a front row seat for daily mass, and Kathy, Suzanne, & Wayne from the North Memorial Hospice Team. Thank you all for your wonderful gifts of caring! Grandma Rose, you will be in our hearts forever, and yes it’s okay if we miss you !

Tributes

Rose Schaffer

March 26, 1914 - September 13, 2012