Leonard S. Schaefer

Leonard, Age 87, known to some relatives as Bud, was born to the late Anna and Nicholas Schaefer and grew up on a farm near Royalton, Minnesota. After graduating from high school, Leonard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946 and served at Guam until being honorably discharged in 1948. He stayed in the Navy Reserve until 1953. He worked on an Iron Ore Freighter sailing on the Great Lakes for four years and then worked in the Wyoming oil fields for six months. He owned several direct sales businesses. Leonard met LaVern Theresa Gau on a blind date and they were married six months later on Sept 1, 1952 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN. They were blessed with eight children and 50 years of marriage. Leonard was a charter member of both St. Pius X Parish and the Benson Optimist Club. In 1964-65, he served as Governor of all Optimist Clubs in Nebraska. Leonard is preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers William, Paul, Nicholas, and Frank; and sisters Viola, Jean, Irene, Bernice, Mildred and Laura Mae. He is survived by his children: Paul (Jerri) of Omaha; Bill (MaryAnn) of Albuquerque, NM; Margaret (Joe) Hebenstreit of Omaha; Jean (John) Gerd of Anchorage, AK; Nancy of Omaha; Lenny (Jenny) of Prattville, AL; Jane of Omaha; and Joan (Joe) Sommers of Oregon, WI.; sister-in-law, Marie Maurer of Little Falls, MN.; 27 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; many nieces, and nephews.



Services:

Funeral will be held Saturday, March 28, 10:00 A.M. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 6905 Blondo Street Omaha, NE. 68104.



Visitation:

Visitation begins Friday, March 27 at 5:00 P.M. at the John A. Gentleman Mortuaries, 72nd Street Chapel, 1010 North 72 Street Omaha, NE 68114 with a Wake Service at 7:00 P.M.