John Simon Schafer — Goodhue

John Simon Schafer, 81, of Goodhue, died Thursday, Feb. 12 at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, following an accident at work.

He was born Nov. 24, 1933, in Lake City, to Vincent and Ada (Simon) Schafer. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Belvidere. He graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1951. While in high school, FFA was a big part of his life. He was vice president of the Red Wing Chapter and president of the District 6 FFA. He was a member of the Parliamentary Procedure Team that won first place in District 6. He was also on the winning team of the checkerboard quiz contest. He received the Star State Dairy Farmer award. After the death of his father, he took over the family dairy farm operation. On Sept. 29, 1956, he married LaVonne Flom at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957 and discharged in 1959. Following his discharge, he returned to the family farm until his retirement from dairy farming in 1985. He then went to work for Dairy Farmers of America in Zumbrota for 14 years. He was currently working for O'Reilly Auto Parts in Cannon Falls at the time of his death.

He was a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church for many years where he served on the church council. Currently, he is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hay Creek. He enjoyed spending time with his family and helping his sons with their farming.

Survivors include his wife, Lavonne; two daughters, PeriAnne (Ray) Williams of Goodhue and Kimberly (Kyle) Gibbens of Tomah, Wis.; two sons, Todd (Tammy) Schafer of Norwalk, Wis., and Kevin (Carol) Schafer of Lake City; eight grandchildren, Shane, Shayla and Alexandra Gibbens, Tyler, Trent, Travis, Jeremy and Amanda Schafer; three step-grandchildren; and two sisters, Margaret Schafer and Ruth Schafer, both of Rochester.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant son.

Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hay Creek, with the Rev. Lowell Sorenson officiating. Burial will be in the St. Peter's Lutheran Church Cemetery in Belvidere.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, and for one hour prior to the service all at the church.

Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing.

Online condolences may be sent to mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com .