Pauline Schaffer

Pauline Schaffer, age 93, of St. James, died on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at the St. James Medical Center in St. James. A Christian Mothers Rosary is scheduled for Thursday at 4:30pm at the funeral home. Pauline Florence Pelzel was born in Heron Lake, MN, on April 13, 1917, the daughter of Joseph and Stephana (Freid) Pelzel. Pauline was a twin, her twin Paul preceded her in death. Pauline, from the age of 18 to 24 went to homes following a birth and helped care for the new mothers and their baby and other children. On February 1, 1941, she married Vincent Schaffer in a double ring ceremony in Heron Lake. In 1942, Vincent entered World War II, she accompanied him to Cheyenne, WY, then San Francisco, CA, where she worked as a cook in area restaurants. Following Vincent's discharge from the military the couple made their home on a farm in the Butterfield, MN, area. They lived there for 34 years. Pauline worked the Good Samaritan Village in Mt. Lake for 10 years, 3 years at Bonnie's Cafe, several years at Tony Downs in Butterfield and was a 20 year member of the Senior Citizen Harmonica Band. They moved to St. James in 1983. She belonged to St. James Catholic Church, Christian Women, C.D.A. (Sister Rose Circle), was a 4H leader and member of the Butterfield Extension Club. Pauline loved music, cooking, visiting shut ins, watching Twins baseball, playing cards and visiting with company. Her love and joy were her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her children; Leon (Judy) Schaffer of Fairmont, Diann (Elmer) Carlson of St. James, sisters; Marcella Carlson of Worthington, Loretta Schmitz of St. James, grandchildren; Paula (Bill) Gimmestad of Marshall, Anita (Mark) Schwartz of Sleepy Eye, Dawn (Eric) Roberts of Albertville, Mike (Judy) Schaffer of Lake Crystal, Rick (Lisa) Carlson of St. James, Cherie (Justin) Trondson of Seattle, WA, Tiffany (Jason) Carey of Rochester, 17 great-grandchildren, and a sister-inlaw; Vernice Pelzel of Janesville. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers; infant Cyril, Paul, Ray, Art, sisters; Agnes, Wilma, Bernice and Magdalen.