Ann Schaeffer, 88, Dickinson, formerly of Belfield, died Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. Ann’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 15, 2012 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Kregg Hochhalter as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Belfield. Visitation will be on Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. There will be a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Deacon Bob Stockert presiding.
Ann Kathrein was born August 13, 1924, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Kathrein. At her tender age of two months, the family moved to a farm in the New England area. Here she was raised and educated having attended country school, but her wisdom throughout her life reached far beyond her 8th grade education.
Ann married Joseph A. Schaeffer on January 15, 1946 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England. They farmed in the Amidon area throughout their married life, with the exception of the five years spent in Battle Ground, Wash. Retiring from farming in 1989, they moved to Belfield, and Joseph died on June 13, 1996. Ann remained in Belfield until moving to Dickinson in 2008.
She enjoyed quilting, oil painting, playing cards, crocheting, reading and especially baking. She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, the Amidon Altar Guild, Peaceful Valley Homemakers Club, Catholic Daughters, and the Belfield Senior Citizens.
Ann is survived by seven children, Keith (Karen) Schaeffer, New England, JoAnn Schaeffer, Camp Verde, Ariz., Patricia Messer, Dickinson, James A. (Renee) Schaeffer, Bowman, Rod (Brenda) Schaeffer, New England, Mark (Alicia) Schaeffer, Camp Verde, Ariz., and Danny Schaeffer, Cottonwood, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren, Klinton Schaeffer, Kyle (Carla) Schaeffer, Wendy (Keith) Schmaltz, Kari (Justin) Hall, Tanya (Brent) Gerving, Jamie (Jason) Privratsky, Elissa Messer, Kolby Schaeffer, KaCee Schaeffer, Chelsey Schaeffer, Randi Schaeffer, and Alexandra Schaeffer; 10 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Betty Krauter, Ada, Minn., Rosemary (Jim) Ochsenfeld, Pineville, La., Marge (Joe) Krauter, Fridley, Minn., and Barbara (Les) Parker, Aurora, Colo.; two brothers, Jack (Ann) Kathrein, Bowman, and Nick (Rosella) Kathrein, Lincoln; sister-in-law, Frances Kathrein, New England; and brother-in-law, Doug Tarmann, San Jose, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Randy Schaeffer; sisters, Sr. Mary Isabel, Eleanore Tarmann, and Katherine Kathrein; brothers, John Kathrein and Tony Kathrein; sister-in-law, Emma Kathrein; and brother-in-law, Pete Krauter.
