Fae Lynn Schaffer

Fae Lynn Krokel Schaffer, age 76, a loving wife, mom and grandmother, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2024, after a valiant fight with pulmonary fibrosis. 

A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 3, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, with Pastor Jeff Whillock officiating.

Burial will be at Fort Meade National Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be live-streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SchriversMemorial.

Fae was born September 18, 1947 in Mobridge, SD to Herman and Eve (Bollinger) Krokel. An avid animal lover, she grew up on the family farm near Mound City, SD.  Fae was a member of St. Paul’s Wisconsin Lutheran Church and was baptized and confirmed there. She attended grade school in Mound City and graduated from Pollock High School in 1965. She then attended the National College of Business in Rapid City, SD, and attained her two-year medical secretary/office certificate in 1967. 

In 1969, while she was living in Colorado Springs, CO, she delivered her first child, a son, Shannon. Soon after, she moved back to Mound City as she took on the title of “Mom” with gusto and so much love.

In 1971, Fae met Ronald Schaffer through mutual friends when she was working at the hospital in Mobridge. They were married on March 18, 1972, in Mobridge, after which they made their home in Gettysburg, SD. Fae and Ron welcomed their first daughter, Meredith, in 1973.  During this time, Fae worked at the hospitals in Hoven and Gettysburg and for Dr. Charles Pelton, Sr.

The family moved to Mitchell, SD, in 1975, where Fae continued to work in medical records at the Methodist hospital. In 1977, they welcomed their second daughter, Emily, making their family of five complete.

As Fae continued raising her 3 children and doting on her family, they moved to Redfield, SD, for a short time in 1978 and then on to Aberdeen in 1980, where Fae and Ron have lived ever since.

While in Aberdeen, Fae worked for Northeastern Mental Health Clinic and Northern Plains Psychological Services. She then began working at Avera St. Luke's in the nursing scheduling department. In June 1987, Fae entered a statewide contest for “Best Typist.” Not surprisingly, she took first place in Aberdeen and second place statewide! After an accomplished career doing what she loved, Fae retired in 2017.

Of all of Fae’s achievements, her most treasured is having raised 3 children. Fae loved being a mom and especially enjoyed spoiling her 8 grandchildren, who brought her endless joy. She spent every moment she could with her grandchildren at home or watching them participate in their many activities.

In addition to family, Fae cherished her friendships. Having coffee and visiting with friends was her favorite way to spend an afternoon. She also enjoyed many summers camping at Hart Ranch with Ron and family in the Black Hills. She also traveled a lot to northern Virginia to visit her son’s family and took an occasional trip to NYC to see Broadway shows. At home, she was a passionate reader, sometimes completing several novels in just one week. She also loved being outdoors with her lap dogs, first Corkie, then Crickette, and lastly Sophie.

Fae is survived by her husband, Ronald Schaffer of Aberdeen; daughters Meredith (Mark) Gulseth of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Emily (Alex) Fisher of Rapid City, SD; daughter-in-law, Sheri Schaffer of Fairfax, VA; and grandchildren Ashton Schaffer of Fairfax, VA, Jaeger Gulseth of Wilmington, NC, Annika Gulseth of Tucson, AZ, Reagan Fisher of Sioux Falls, SD, Ryker Gulseth of Detroit Lakes, MN, Paxton Fisher of Rapid City, SD, Cooper Gulseth of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Nora Fisher of Rapid City, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman & Eve Krokel; brother, Robert Krokel; and son Shannon Schaffer in 2011.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Fae’s memory to Bethlehem Lutheran Church (1620 Milwaukee Ave NE, Aberdeen, SD 57401 or give online here: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-YR1N/home) or the Aberdeen Humane Society (PO Box 1013, Aberdeen, SD 57402, or give online here: https://anewleashonlife.net/memorial)

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