David Schafer

David Wesley Schafer, 73, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, July 24, 2011 at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was born June 2, 1938, in Renville, Minnesota, the son of Willard and Hazel (Willoughby) Schafer. He attended school in Renville, graduating from Renville High School in 1956. He then attended St. Cloud State University for two years. On June 26, 1965, he married Karen Decknatel at First Lutheran Church in Renville. They made their home in Fergus Falls. As a young man Dave started a drive-in style restaurant with his mother in Renville. When he was 17 years old he opened and operated Dave’s Radio and TV Repair Shop in Renville until he entered the military in 1961. He served in the U.S. Army for two years, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In 1964 he came to Fergus Falls and worked at The Music Store. In June of 1966 he started working at Cooper’s Office Supply as a salesman. Dave bought out Leonard Cooper in 1982 and was the owner and operator of the business along with his two sons until his passing. In addition, for over 30 years he had played music in various bands, including his band, The Dave Schafer Band. He was a member of the Eagles, Elks, American Legion, the Shriners, and First Lutheran Church. Dave loved his family first, especially working side by side with his two sons. He loved his music next, especially playing the trumpet and keyboard. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, visiting with people, going for pontoon rides on Wall Lake, spending time with his beloved Sheltie “Tawny”, and “tinkering” with his 1912 Model T. Preceding him in death were his parents, Willard and Hazel Schafer, and his mother and father-in-law, Luverne and Ole Decknatel. Survivors include his loving wife, Karen of Fergus Falls; his sons, Jeff (Heidi) Schafer of Fergus Falls, and Paul (Lesley) Schafer of Fergus Falls; three grandchildren: Kayla and Kelsey Schafer and Scott Knudson all of Fergus Falls; a brother, Dan (Barb) Schafer of Rochester, MN; a brother and sister-in-law, James and LouAnn Decknatel of Renville; an uncle and aunt-in-law, Robert and Ione Nelson of Bloomington, MN; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2011, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Saul Stensvaag Interment: First Lutheran North Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls