Mildred Schafer

Mildred Helene Fort was born on June 12, 1914 and passed away January 18, 2017. She was the oldest of eight children who became a second mother to her youngest siblings. She was born and raised on her grandparent's farm just outside Allentown, IL. Life there nurtured in her a real love for country life. Never caring for her given name, after marriage she chose to go by Mrs. Schafer - except to her husband and relatives. Of course her children knew her as Mom.
While just a toddler she played with scraps of material in her high chair alongside her mother. She called it "sewing." Sewing became a life-long love, as well as her profession. For decades her entire family and many missionary families received beautiful gifts and clothes of every kind that she had made. You name it - she made it or fixed it! Late in life she worked for five years as a seamstress at the Hankscraft factory in Reedsburg, WI.
She loved cooking and preserving food - and once made the comment that there is nothing more beautiful than a canning jar - empty or full. She continued to can food through age 102. Another of her wishes was to be able to play piano. She only had a few lessons in her life but appreciated others who would play. Perhaps she is playing the piano now in heaven.
While still a young girl, her family moved to the very small town of Morton, IL., where she graduated from both grade school and high school. In her teens and early 20's she worked in a local café, and then as the only employee at her father's creamer testing cream. At this time she met her husband-to-be who was the catcher for the local baseball team which her father managed. In April 1937 she married that catcher. She and Gale celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary in April 2013 - just a few weeks before he passed away.
When their first child was born she became a full-time homemaker. They had five children. In their early thirties she and her husband became followers of Christ, which led Gale to become a pastor. Mrs. Schafer was always his right hand partner - who with God's help - made all his choices in life possible. She and her husband loved fishing and deer hunting together, which also appealed to her love of the out-doors.
Her love for Missions continued throughout her whole life. While not a person of means, in her advanced age she still meagerly supported a few missionaries.
She leaves 4 children: Arlene (Charles) Peterson, Seattle, WA.; Larry (Diane) Schafer, Watertown, WI., Darrel Schafer, Watertown, WI., and Marcia (David) Ramey of Aiken, S.C. Her children, 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren will miss the support of her daily prayers on their behalf. Along with her dearly-loved parents, a sister, and two brothers, she was preceded by her husband and oldest son, Keith.
Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Homes in Watertown, WI., is caring for the family. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday January 24, 2017 at 6:00PM with Rev. Jeff Borchardt and Rev. Rich Akins presiding. Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 4:00PM until the time of service.
Internment will be in Pleasant Grove Mennonite Cemetery outside Morton, IL. On Wednesday January 25, 2017 at 12:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church in Jefferson, WI., Heritage Homes in Watertown, WI., or Rainbow Hospice of Johnson Creek, WI.

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