Ted Schaeffer

Ted “Pete” Schaeffer, 98 of Viborg, passed away on April 18, 2023 at the Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home in Viborg. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM Monday, April 24, 2023 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 6:00-7:00 PM Sunday, April 23, 2023 at the Church with a Prayer Service starting at 7:00 PM. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to the Rosehill Cemetery Association.

Theodore "Ted" Schaeffer was born on March 23, 1925, on the family farm near Menno, SD to Henry and Emma (Bender) Schaeffer.  He attended the Ulmer School #51, then started working on the farm.  He spent many days riding his horse “Jerry”.  On August 27, 1948 he was united in marriage to Mildred Muhmel.  To this union 6 children were born; Linda, Carol, Donna, Roger, Bruce and Bryan.  Ted was always thinking of ways to keep his children busy.  One summer he contracted with the Gedney Pickle Company to plant 2 acres of cucumbers.  That crop generated several tons of cucumbers, all hand picked.

Ted and Mildred farmed in the Olivet and Scotland area for several years before Farmers Hybrid hired him to manage their service farm near Viborg and eventually to become a salesman. In 1970 Farmers Hybrid relocated the family to Rowan IA. While living in Rowan, Ted was the mayor for over a decade. In 1977 he received the Monsanto Master Salesman Award. After retiring in 1991, Ted and Mildred returned to Viborg.

Ted was very community oriented.  He served on the Pioneer Memorial Hospital Board, as chairman of the Viborg Centennial Committee (1993) and SD Pork Producers Association. Ted was one of the founding members of the Lions Club in Viborg. While living in Rowan, Ted and Mildred were hosts to many exchange students from around the world. This led them to travel around the globe, even going to Japan to attend an exchange student’s wedding. Ted enjoyed traveling the countryside as well, always looking forward to driving around looking at cattle and crops in the field.

Ted will be greatly missed. He is survived by his children Linda Schaeffer, Carol Thomas, Donna Dickson, Roger (Deb), Bruce (Helen), and Bryan (Gwen); 16 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; brother Leroy (Nancy); sister Arlene (Vern) Haase; sisters-in-law Donna Muhmel and Donna Schaeffer; and a host of nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Emma; wife Mildred who passed away in 2019; sons-in-law Joe Thomas and John Dickson; and his siblings Ray, Ervin, Walter, Edgar, Augusta, Alitha, Olinda, Clara and Frieda.