Robert Schafer of Red Lake Falls, MN passed away on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, with his sons at his side at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021, at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Bob Schreiner Officiating and Deacon John Bruggeman. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Red Lake Falls, MN.
Visitation will be held 5 – 8 PM with a 7:00 prayer service on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN, and also one hour prior to the service on Friday morning.
Robert “Bob” Schafer was born on April 29, 1941 son of Frank and Anna (Linnertz) Schafer on the farm near Red Lake Falls, MN. He was raised near Red Lake Falls, attended St. Joseph Catholic School, and graduated from Lafayette High School in 1959. Bob served in the National Guard for 6 years. He worked at Shetlers Hatchery in Thief River Falls, MN, Alma “Detroiter” in Red Lake Falls, MN. Bob then attended Barber School in Waterloo, IA. He worked as a barber in Moorhead and East Grand Forks for a while before purchasing his own barbershop in Red Lake Falls.
On September 13, 1969, he was united in marriage to Judy Zornig at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. To this union, two sons were born Michael and Brian. The couple made their home in Red Lake Falls where they have continued to live their entire life. Bob worked as a barber in Red Lake Falls for 40 plus years. Bob farmed East of Red Lake Falls until the boys took over in 2007 but continued to help currently. Judy was diagnosed with MS at a young age and Bob continually cared for her at home until her passing in 2016.
He received his pilot’s license in 1966 and his flight instructor’s license in 1974 which he maintained for 47 years. Bob was an active pilot until the fall of 2021. He taught many students some of which went on to become commercial airline pilots. Bob was instrumental in starting the Red Lake Falls Flying Club and keeping it going over the years. He was a member of the RLF Fire department for 21 years. He was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knight of Columbus, served on the pastoral council and the financial council.
Bob enjoyed fishing with his friends at Rocky Point, flying, golfing, trap shooting, hunting, snowmobiling, and spending time with his family and friends but most of all he loved the time spent with the granddaughters.
Bob is survived by his two sons Michael Schafer of Red Lake Falls, MN and Brian (Teresa) Schafer of Red Lake Falls, MN; grandchildren Paige, Kayla and Rebecca Schafer of Red Lake Falls, MN; brothers Larry (Candace) Schafer of Red Lake Falls, MN, Willard (Barb) Schafer of Lakeville, MN, nieces, and nephews Lori (Lyndon) Schultz, Barry (Heidi) Boutain, Carrie Schafer, Jill Schafer, Kathleen (Ryan) Reynolds, Matt (Lyndsey) Schafer, Angela Schafer, Maribeth Schafer.
Bob is preceded in death by his wife Judy, parents Frank and Anna Schafer, sister Margaret (Dale) Boutain, brothers Eugene Schafer, Alfred “Freddy” Schafer; nephew Jeff Boutain; Ray and Hazel Perras.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
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