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George SCHAFER

June 4, 2008

SCHAFER George Adam George Adam Schafer of Rimbey, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Rimbey Extended Care on May 31st, 2008 at the age of 94. He will be lovingly remembered by numerous family and friends. George was born in Salvador, Sask. December 10th, 1913. He attended St. Peters School in Salvador District and then farmed with his father. He married Anastasia Urlacher in 1940 and continued farming for seven more years with no luck. They experienced both hail and drought. They decided to come further west so they sold their livestock and farm equipment, got in their old Essex and pulling a trailer with a kitchen stove, clothing, bedding and some furniture they relocated their young family to James River District in 1947. He worked for the Department of Highways building bridges, many around Drumheller. From there the family went to Benalto in 1950. He continued with bridge construction until 1958 and then moved the family to Cold Lake for 2 years while working for Urlacher Construction. July 7th, 1960 the family came back to Benalto. Soon after returning, tragedy stuck and they lost their youngest child. This was a devastating blow to the entire family. George then started working for the C.P.R. and stayed with them for the next eleven years. Following that he tried a few different jobs. He enjoyed working with his sons as a welder's helper until his retirement. In 1976 tragedy found him again with the loss of their home to fire. Construction started immediately with the help of family and friends. George then worked with his wife, Anastasia on rig camps as cooks to help finance the construction of their new home. George suffered a debilitating stroke in 1985. Anastasia lovingly cared for him until her passing in 1997. He continued living in Benalto and was cared for by his youngest, Katherine and her family. He moved to Rimbey Extended Care in 2000 where he was well cared for until his passing. George was ultimately a family man with a strong faith that proved to see him through life's ups and downs. He loved telling stories. He loved working in his garden. He derived great pleasure in surprising people and got quite good at it over the years. He was most happy when surrounded by the noise and activity of his family. He is survived by his children, Anthony and Cheryl Schafer, Marjorie and Larry Tremblay, Dennis and (Susan) Schafer, Ed Schafer, Audrey and Ted Lightbown, John, Jerome and Linda Schafer, Dorothy and Adrian Vig, Basil and Deb Schafer, Peter and Irene Schafer and Katherine and Mario Renaud. George was predeceased by his beloved wife, Anastasia, sons, Mark Schafer and Valentine Urlacher, daughter-in-law, Shelley Schafer and grandson, Thomas Tremblay. Prayers will be held on Wednesday, June 4th at 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be Thursday, June 5th at 11:00 am., both at St. Margaret's Catholic Church, 5509 - 50th Street in Rimbey with lunch to follow. Interment will be at the Benalto Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Benalto Cemetery or the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre (for Extended Care), Box 440, Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0. PERSONAL ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL SERVICES 4779 - 49th Street, Red Deer 403-341-5181 and Calgary 403-216-5111 entrusted with arrangements.