Gloria J. Schaffer

Gloria J. Schaffer was born to Merlin ‘Van’ Vandewege and Maxine (Berning) Vandewege. She lived in Austin, Minn., through 11th grade when her family moved to Mankato, Minn. She graduated from high school there in 1964. She also attended college and graduated in 1968, Magna Cum Laude, with a BS in elementary dducation from Minnesota State University at Mankato. While attending college, she joined Gamma Phi Beta and became the sorority president. In 1989, she received a master’s degree in educational administration from South Dakota State University through a special program for women and minorities in education. 

Gloria married the love of her life, Dale Schaffer, on Dec. 26, 1967, at Centenary Methodist Church. She completed her degree and started teaching in Jr. First Grade in Wells, Minn., while Dale finished his degree. They moved to Mason City, Iowa, where the couple were teachers within the school district. There they started their family and moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and later Fort Dodge, Iowa, where Dale managed a credit bureau. Their final move was to Custer, S.D., as owners/operators of Western Woodcarvings, later known as The National Museum of Woodcarvings.

 Gloria enjoyed being home a number of years while her children were young. In 1985 she returned to teaching at Custer School District – high school special education, first, third, and fifth grades, prior to becoming the special education director for 17 years. For four years, she congruently served Hill City as special education director. She gave 28 years providing education and educational opportunities to students.

 Gloria loved the Lord Jesus Christ from an early age and her faith sustained her throughout her life. She was an active member of her community churches. For the past 25 years, she was a member of Custer Lutheran Fellowship. She had served as Sunday School teacher, congregational president, church council, choir and song/liturgy leader. She participated in the ministry of the churches “Quest/Excel” – Girls Youth Camp. Gloria and Dale have found joy in sharing music and love through their Christian singing throughout the years.

 In Custer, Gloria was actively engaged in diverse organizations. She was a former PEO member and president. She was a member of South Dakota CASE (Counsel of Administrators for Special Education). She was recognized as Outstanding Special Education Director in the State of South Dakota by the SD Council of Exceptional Children.

 Gloria loved her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. She loved the people who surrounded her and who worked with her.

 On April 12, 2010, Gloria died at Rapid City Regional Hospice House in Rapid City, S.D., from an extended struggle with cancer. She was 63 years old.

She was preceded in death by her parents in 2006, her grandparents, and her beloved nephew, Nathan John Vandewege, in 2008.

Survivors include her spouse, Dale E. Schaffer; two sons, Bryce (Colette) of Lindsay, Okla., Paul (Jill) of Eden Prairie, Minn.; a daughter, Kristine (Jared) Gaskill of Billings, Mont.; seven grandchildren, Ethan, Callie, Nathanial, Preston, Brooke, Cole and Jackson; a sister, Charlene (Ivan) Clark of Spearfish, S.D.; a brother, John (Josie) Vandewege of Rosemont, Minn.; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews.

  Services were held April 17 at Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church in Custer with Pastor Tom Opoien and Pastor Kent Narum officiating.  Burial was at Custer Cemetery.

 Memorial will be given to ELCA-World Hunger/Custer Lutheran Fellowship Youth Ministry.

Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.