Marilyn J. Schaffer

Obituary

Marilyn Jean Schaffer was born on September 15, 1929, in Cyrus, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Sigvald and Marie (Anderson) Thompson. Marilyn was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in her faith as a youth both at St. Petri Church in Cyrus. She received her education in Cyrus, and was a graduate of the Cyrus High School Class of 1947. Marilyn furthered her education at West Central School of Agriculture (now University of Minnesota Morris) in Morris, Minnesota.

On July 23, 1949, Marilyn was united in marriage to Bennett “Buck” Schaffer in Morris, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children, Sandy, Barry, Jane, and Lorie. Marilyn and Buck resided in Morris and Rushmore, Minnesota, before moving to Hutchinson and calling it home in 1957. They shared 66 years of marriage prior to the passing of Buck on July 14, 2016.

Marilyn was a homemaker and also worked as a bookkeeper for Wally Pikal Music Store in Hutchinson, Farmer’s Union Coop (Cenex) in Hutchinson, and later at Dostal Electronics Center in Hutchinson. She retired in 2013. Marilyn was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. She was also a member of the Peace Lutheran Church Dorcas Club and Business Profession Women.

Marilyn enjoyed playing piano, buying and selling antiques, puzzles, and playing cards. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.

Marilyn passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at her home in Hutchinson, at the age of 94 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Marilyn is survived by her:
Children, Barry Schaffer and his wife, Julie of Hutchinson, MN,
Jane Brinkman and her husband, John of Winona, MN,
Lorie Maurer and her husband, Scott of Hutchinson, MN;
Son-in-law, Steve Stai of Darwin, MN;
“Adopted Children”, Pam and Mike Woods of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Andrea Matheny and her husband, Lance, Stacey Kuhl and her husband, Chris, Rachael Noga and her husband, Steve, Andrew Schaffer and his wife, Carissa, Mandi Lange and her husband Arron, Jenna Brinkman and her significant other, Brecken Steinfeldt, Emily Suttor and her husband, Camm, Matthew Maurer and his significant other, Lindsay Ray, Molly Schuetzle and her husband, Jordan, Nesha Withers and her husband, Bob;
Step-grandchildren, Steve Stai Jr. and his wife, Tami, Shawn Stai and his wife, Bobbi, Melanie Welte, Nic Stai and his wife, Andrea;
26 Great-grandchildren;
Brothers, Luther Thompson and his wife, Joyce of Norcross, MN,
Donald Thompson and his wife, Rose of Cyrus, MN;
Sister, Vernett Kannegiesser and her husband, Larry of Morris, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her Parents, Sigvald and Marie Thompson; Husband, Bennett Schaffer; Daughter, Sandy Stai; Grandchildren, Troy Woods, Jay Brinkman, Amy Schaffer; Grandson-in-law, Todd Welte; Brothers, Kenny Thompson and his wife, Lorraine, Gordy Thompson and his wife, Esther; Sister, Ruby Damsky and her husband, Del; Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Otto Schaffer and his wife, Hazel, Vince Schaffer and his wife, Pauline, Cornelius “Doc” Schaffer and his wife, Mag, Eugene “Dick” Schaffer and his wife, Kio, Josephine Sutherland and her husband, Arthur, Evelyn Schoenberger and her husband, Joe, Mable “Blondie” Anderson and her husband, Lou, Delores Pigman and her husband, Duane, Geraldine Magnussen and her husband, Kenneth.