LaVern Alvin Schaefer

LaVern Alvin Schaefer, age 93 passed away peacefully at home in Tripp, with his family at his bedside and went home to the Lord on Friday, May 20, 2022.

Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp. His funeral service will begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 27 at Friedens Reformed Church. Burial, with military honors, will be in the church cemetery.

LaVern was born on January 26, 1929 at the family farm by Tripp, SD to Simon and Alvina (Giegle) Schaefer. LaVern was baptized at Emmaus Lutheran Church and confirmed at Friedens Reformed Church. He attended country school through the 8^th grade at Gramm School. LaVern served in the Korean War from June 1951 until his honorable discharge in June 1953. 

LaVern was united in marriage to Arlene Frey on September 6, 1953 at Friedens Reformed Church. They were blessed with 4 children. Lavern was a member of Friedens Reformed Church and served on the Consistory, Foundation Committee and later custodian at the church. LaVern worked at Koth Implement, Kotas Implement, Schaefer Service Station, his own business of Vern’s Equipment and drove bus for the Tripp-Delmont School for 22 years. He was a Volunteer Fireman for 30 years and part of that time served as Fire Chief. LaVern was a member of the Jenkins-Harms American Legion Post 142 for 53 years.

Family was very important to LaVern. He enjoyed the gatherings with family for birthdays, holidays and any special times. He cherished spending time with his children, especially his grandson and great grandchildren. He loved to read - especially the Green Sheet Farm Forum! He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to Polka dances and listening to Polka music, watching the Antique Tractor Show or any other tractor show. He enjoyed playing cards or games with family and friends. You could find LaVern at auction sales whether there was something he was looking to buy or just looking! He always had advice for his family and was their best handyman.

Lavern will be remembered by his wife of 68 years, Arlene Schaefer, Tripp, SD; children:  Lila Schaefer, Watertown, SD, Allen Schaefer, Rapid City, SD, Marilyn (Tim) Fischer, Rapid City, SD and Barbara Schaefer, Watertown, SD; grandson:  Matt Fischer (Alia Cota) Northwood, ND; great grandchildren:  Jordan Fischer, Nampa, ID, Kyle Fischer, Northwood, ND and Charlotte Cota, Northwood, ND and many nieces and nephews.

LaVern was preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Alvina Schaefer; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Louise Weisser; sister, Vesta Nuss; brothers, Norman (in infancy), Gilbert, Victor and Wilbur; sisters-in-law, Ione Schaefer, Velma Schaefer, Velda Mehlhaff, Shirley Block and Darlene Weisser; special person to the family, Hazel Niemcyk; brothers-in-law, Eugene Nuss, Ruben Mehlhaff, Frank Block and Harvey Weisser; nephews, Wayne Odegaard, Roger Mehlhaff, Paul Saenz and great nephew, Josh Odegaard.

Floral tributes are included within the service folder.