Gail Schafer

Funeral Services for Gail Schafer, 87, of Greene will be Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 3:00 p.m., at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene with Pastor Daniel Flucke officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on November 6, 2021 at St. Peter Lutheran Church. Gail was born on May 1, 1934 to Orley Gale and Mary Lavina (Bushbaum) Alden in Dougherty, Iowa. Gail was the middle child, with older brother Marvin Bushbaum and younger sister Irene Lindsey (nee’ Alden). Gail passed away on October 24, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After graduating from Greene High School in 1952 she married Gordon Dale Schafer in 1955. Gordon and Gail had three children, Ron Schafer, Janet Schafer, and Lori Schafer. They spent many happy years together until Gordon’s death 1986. Over the years, Gail enjoyed a number of professions, including selling Avon, working for a Veterinary service, working as a Secretary for Sneed Insurance, and managing Round Grove Golf and Country Club. Gail’s final job was working as a public-school bus driver. She loved getting to know the children of Greene and North Butler. Gail was a generous volunteer and active community member throughout her life. As a Girl Scout leader for a number of years, she taught many skills and particularly loved taking the girls on camping trips. She coordinated local blood drives for the American Red Cross and was an active member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary for over 50 years, serving as President for several. A dedicated member St. Peter Lutheran Church throughout her life in Greene, Gail served on the Church Council and as President of the Church Board. She taught Jr. Lutherans, WINGS, and high school Sunday School, and directed the annual Christmas Program for decades, and helped with Quilting Days. Gail was an avid sports fan, never missing any of her children’s games, including cheering on son Ron in football and baseball, daughters Janet in softball, basketball, and track, and Lori in softball, basketball, track and volleyball. Later she made sure to catch Iowa Hawkeyes, and Iowa State Cyclones football and basketball games. She also loved playing sports herself. Gail and husband Gordon played in many husband-and-wife tournaments together, and Gail participated in League bowling for a number of years. Gail enjoyed traveling when possible, particularly enjoying a trip to St. John Virgin Island with her daughter Janet and friends in the 2000’s. She also loved visiting daughter Lori in San Antonio, Texas and spending time with son Ron and his family in Forest City, Iowa. Gail was overjoyed when her grandson Dylan Scott Schafer was born in 2005 to son Ron Schafer and Tammy Hanson, of Forest City, Iowa. Dylan loved spending the night with Grandma at her home on the Shell Rock River, and they went on many adventures together including a trip to Colorado to see daughter, and Dylan’s Aunt, Janet. Dylan often attended church with Gail. Gail is preceded in death by her husband Gordon, by parents Mary Gibson Aldan and Orley Aldan, and brother Marvin Bushbaum. She is survived by son Ron Schafer (Tammy Hanson), daughter Janet Schafer (Nora Maez), daughter Lori Schafer, grandson Dylan Scott Schafer, sister-in-law Ramona Schafer, brother-in-law Duane Schafer (Barb Schafer), sister Irene Lindsey (nee’ Alden), son Ron Schafer (Tammy Hanson), and many beloved nieces and nephews. Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family at P.O. Box 219 Greene, Iowa 50636.

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Gail Schafer

May 1, 1934 - October 24, 2021