Obituary for Bob Schaefer
Bob Schaefer, age 92 of Watertown, SD passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023.
Funeral services will be 10:30am, Monday April 17, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD.
Visitation will be 2-4pm, Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown with military honors.
Pallbearers will be Randy Schaefer, Rick Schaefer, Todd Schaefer, Tracy Schaefer, Daryl Deneke and Tyler Whicher.
Honorary Pallbearers will be LaVerne McPeek, Larry Webb, John Stonebarger, Todd Enderson, Troy Hemiller, Rory Olerud and Jeff Elkins.
Denton (Bob) Schaefer was born to John and Ella (Shannon) Schaefer on January 20, 1931 in Watertown, South Dakota. He was raised on a farm near Vienna, SD.
Bob was active in basketball, baseball, and track in high school. He was chosen MVP in high school at the Hamlin County conference tournament. He attended General Beadle Teachers College and played on the basketball and football team. He joined the army in 1952 and served in the Korean War and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Bob married Arvilla (Jorgenson) Schaefer on October 19, 1952 while on leave from Korea and Japan. His career began at Fidelity Finance and later joined First Federal Savings and Loan, retiring in 1991 after 27 years.
Bob loved God and his family. He had many nicknames; Black Beauty, Thumper, Grumpy and Tumbleweed. He also had nicknames for his grandchildren and friends; Hazel Little Thunder, Hank Poso, and Mabel.
He loved the Minnesota Twins and attended many games. He never missed local high school
basketball games and continued to watch local teams faithfully on TV.
Bob was very active in the Watertown community. He served as Chairman of Codington County Republicans, Past Exalted Ruler of Watertown Elks Lodge, Named to Elks All State Team in 1978 as Esquire. Served on the Board of Directors for Watertown Development Co, Chamber of Commerce, and the Boys Club. Served on Advisory Committee for the March of Dimes. Member of Rotary International, VFW, Jaycees, Civil Service Board and Grace Lutheran Church.
He is survived by Michael, Pierre SD, Tami (Bill) Whicher, Fond du Lac, WI, Bobi (Daryl) Deneke, Rapid City, SD, and Mark (Amy), Pierre, SD. Grandchildren, Tyler Whicher, Fond du Lac, Candace (Alex) DeFea, Watertown, and Angela Whicher, Maple Grove, MN. Great Grandchildren, Hudson Borns and Beckett DeFea. Brother Harvey (Deanna) Schaefer, Milbank. Sisters In Law, Fran Schaefer, Watertown, and Marlene Schaefer, Hayti. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and so many good friends.
Bob was proceeded in death by wife, Arvilla, parents John and Ella Schaefer, in laws Monroe and Edla Jorgenson. Sister, Virginia Wagner, Brothers, Tom and Ted Schaefer.
The family would like to thank StoneyBrook Assisted Living for their loving care during the years Bob lived there. Also thank you to the many friends and family who visited and brought food over the years. We know he appreciated it very much.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s memory can be directed to: Watertown Area Pach Program (people against child hunger).
Funeral services will be 10:30am, Monday April 17, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD.
Visitation will be 2-4pm, Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown with military honors.
Pallbearers will be Randy Schaefer, Rick Schaefer, Todd Schaefer, Tracy Schaefer, Daryl Deneke and Tyler Whicher.
Honorary Pallbearers will be LaVerne McPeek, Larry Webb, John Stonebarger, Todd Enderson, Troy Hemiller, Rory Olerud and Jeff Elkins.
Denton (Bob) Schaefer was born to John and Ella (Shannon) Schaefer on January 20, 1931 in Watertown, South Dakota. He was raised on a farm near Vienna, SD.
Bob was active in basketball, baseball, and track in high school. He was chosen MVP in high school at the Hamlin County conference tournament. He attended General Beadle Teachers College and played on the basketball and football team. He joined the army in 1952 and served in the Korean War and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Bob married Arvilla (Jorgenson) Schaefer on October 19, 1952 while on leave from Korea and Japan. His career began at Fidelity Finance and later joined First Federal Savings and Loan, retiring in 1991 after 27 years.
Bob loved God and his family. He had many nicknames; Black Beauty, Thumper, Grumpy and Tumbleweed. He also had nicknames for his grandchildren and friends; Hazel Little Thunder, Hank Poso, and Mabel.
He loved the Minnesota Twins and attended many games. He never missed local high school
basketball games and continued to watch local teams faithfully on TV.
Bob was very active in the Watertown community. He served as Chairman of Codington County Republicans, Past Exalted Ruler of Watertown Elks Lodge, Named to Elks All State Team in 1978 as Esquire. Served on the Board of Directors for Watertown Development Co, Chamber of Commerce, and the Boys Club. Served on Advisory Committee for the March of Dimes. Member of Rotary International, VFW, Jaycees, Civil Service Board and Grace Lutheran Church.
He is survived by Michael, Pierre SD, Tami (Bill) Whicher, Fond du Lac, WI, Bobi (Daryl) Deneke, Rapid City, SD, and Mark (Amy), Pierre, SD. Grandchildren, Tyler Whicher, Fond du Lac, Candace (Alex) DeFea, Watertown, and Angela Whicher, Maple Grove, MN. Great Grandchildren, Hudson Borns and Beckett DeFea. Brother Harvey (Deanna) Schaefer, Milbank. Sisters In Law, Fran Schaefer, Watertown, and Marlene Schaefer, Hayti. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and so many good friends.
Bob was proceeded in death by wife, Arvilla, parents John and Ella Schaefer, in laws Monroe and Edla Jorgenson. Sister, Virginia Wagner, Brothers, Tom and Ted Schaefer.
The family would like to thank StoneyBrook Assisted Living for their loving care during the years Bob lived there. Also thank you to the many friends and family who visited and brought food over the years. We know he appreciated it very much.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob’s memory can be directed to: Watertown Area Pach Program (people against child hunger).