Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271779
Title: Donald M. Schafer
Date: 5/17/1936-9/23/2025
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 5/17/1936
Summary: Donald Schafer, 89, of New Rockford, ND, passed away September 23, 2025, at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford. A Mass of Christian burial was held September 26, 2025, at St. John’s Catholic Church, New Rockford. Burial was at St. John’s Cemetery. Donald Matt Schafer was born May 17, 1936, at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. He was the son of Matt and Mary (Scheile) Schafer. He lived with his parents on the family farm near Tokio, ND, and started his education at Lonetree School in Benson County. In 1944, they moved to a farm near New Rockford and Don continued his education at Superior Township School #1 and St. James Academy in New Rockford. On November 6, 1954, Don was united in marriage to Eleanor Clelland. They lived in New Rockford all of their remaining years. As a young man, Don had many jobs in New Rockford and the surrounding area working for farmers. From 1949 on, Don worked for the Midway City Creamery, the Thompson Lumberyard, the Great Northern Railroad, Merv’s Standard Oil, the Ford Garage, and Hope’s Inc. At Hope’s Inc., he received a Dr. of Motors Certificate from the Perfect Circle Corporation in 1957. He worked at Midway Implement – John Deere – for one year as parts manager. In 1959, Don started his long career in road construction by working for two years for Weber Construction. After that he worked for 21 years for Archie Campbell, Inc. He drove trucks and operated all heavy equipment, including dragline, and also worked as a heavy equipment mechanic. He was superintendent of the Campbell Co. for three years. Don loved road construction and often said he didn’t like being away from family, so when the Campbell Co. dissolved in 1980, Don, Eleanor and family started and operated Schafer Construction, and later added Don’s Welding. They sold out in 1991. Don then worked as a heavy equipment mechanic and welder for Park Construction Co. for three years. After semi-retirement, he worked for five years as the greenskeeper at the New Rockford Golf Course. In 2000, he started driving the Eddy County Senior Transit Bus. He drove bus for eight years, and was also a volunteer Meals on Wheels driver. Don loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to take his two sons, other family members and friends out to hunt and fish. In the 70’s and 80’s, Don became a certified hunter safety instructor. For 11 years, he helped many youngsters in the community graduate from hunter safety education classes and earn their certificates. In 2004, Betty Westby asked Don to serve on a committee. Five years later they were instrumental in getting the name of North Park in New Rockford changed to Archie Campbell Park and Campground. With a lot of effort and community support, a beautiful monument was purchased and placed in memory of Archie and Jessie Campbell. Don wrote the words found at the base of the monument: “Their names may perish from our lips but the memory of their many unselfish deeds to this community will live forever.” Don was a long-standing member of St. John’s Catholic Church. He had been active in the New Rockford Eagles for more than 35 years, he served as president, along with holding other offices. He was a life member of both the Central ND Steam Threshers and the NRA. He was a member of the AGC (Associated General Contractors) of ND and Land Improvement Association. Don enjoyed league bowling for more than 50 years, first at Blackstone Lanes and later at Wonder Lanes in New Rockford. In 2003, he won the North Dakota State Senior Tournament in his division, which made him eligible to bowl in the National Seniors Tournament in Reno, NV, in May of 2004. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Eleanor; three daughters, Sarah Nisbet of Mooreton, ND, Julie Schafer of New Rockford, ND, and Karen (Tim) Lindberg of Florida; two sons, Allan Schafer of Fargo, ND, and Kevin (Angie) Schafer of Carrington, ND; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Lou Nelson; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Schafer; and many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by a daughter, Diane Schafer; his parents; and his siblings, Joe, Edward, Mike, Albert, Angeline Morse, and Lambert.
Red ID: FND_I_79274 Image ID: 537298 Image Notes: FND001 271779

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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