Ella I. Schafer

Ella passed away peacefully surrounded by love from her family. She was born in Inavale, Nebraska to Paul and Pauline (Harman) Scharff. She was preceded in death by her sister Augusta Gibson, who died in 1983 at age 71. She met William Schafer, her soul mate, on the dance floor in Nebraska. They were married June 19, 1933 at Smith Center, Kansas and were married for 71 loving years. Bill preceded her in death in 2004. As a young adult, Ella was a schoolteacher in a one-room schoolhouse teaching grades 1-8th. Once married, she relocated with Bill and his family to Oregon. She was a cook, baker and later golf course owner. She will be remembered for her many years running the Salem Golf Club restaurant and for her homemade pies. She and Bill sold Evergreen Golf Course and retired at the age of 50. She enjoyed playing golf, dancing, baking, gardening, sewing, traveling and playing card games. She loved and cherished her family and friends. She is survived by her only child, Gary Schafer and his wife Patricia of Salem, Oregon; two grandchildren Kristine Keele and her husband Brad of Salem, Oregon; Michael Schafer and his wife Alyonka of Burien, Washington; two great-grandchildren, Nathan and Matthew Keele; special nieces and nephews Darleen, Kay, Barbara, Jean, Ron, David, Robert, and Fred; and sister-in-law Helen. To honor her request, her life was celebrated with a private family gathering. She was an amazing and loving woman, who will be in our hearts forever.