Emilia Schaffer

Emilia Gabriel Schaffer, 95, Strasburg, died June 16, 2007, at a Strasburg care center. Services will be held at 10:30 am Wednesday at the Church of St. Mary, Bismarck with Rev. Bruce Krebs officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm Tuesday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a vigil will be held at 7:00 pm followed by the Catholic Daughter's rosary. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Emilia was born on December 6, 1911, the eldest daughter of eleven children, to Eugene and Margaret Kraft Gabriel. She grew up in the Hague, ND, area and attended school there. She married Ignatius Schaffer on June 28, 1938 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hague, ND. They farmed near Napoleon, ND, for seven years before moving to Strasburg, ND, where they co-owned the Blue Room for two years from 1945-1947. They moved to Bismarck in 1947. Emilia babysat, ironed for others as well as sewed and baked cakes. She was a charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Eagles. She also belonged to the Catholic Daughters. Emilia was a generous donor to St. Mary's Church in Bismarck, at the time of renovation in 1996, she contributed the alter, reliquary, sanctuary chairs and work on the podium. She liked to travel and made the trip to Germany several times. During her travels in Germany she made contact with several cousins whom she maintained relationships with for many years. She also made a pilgrimage to Rome. Emilia loved to cook and set a beautiful table. She served many delicious luncheons, as well as meals. Out-of-town friends and family that came to Bismarck to shop would usually drop in at Emilea's at meal time. Emilia never met a stranger; they were all a potential friend or acquaintance, and worthy of a chat. Emilia lost her husband, Ignatius on July 19, 1974. During his four years of illness with cancer she learned to drive a car at 60. When Alzheimers diminished her abilities, she needed to give up her car as well as her life as she had known it. Her last years were spent at the care center in Strasburg, ND. Emilia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ignatius; her sister, Mary Schepp; and her brothers, Anton, John, and Carl Garbriel. Emilia is survived by three daughters, Donna David Schrantz of Pine Island, MN, Sally Jay Nagle of Renton, WA, and Emma Robert Sunderland of Bountiful, UT; one son, Bob Schaffer of Bountiful, UT; one sister, Kathryn Lehtinen; and three brothers, Joe, Al, Mike and Ervin Gabriel. Additional survivors include nine grandchildren, Daniel Schrantz, Dana Schrantz Sohm, Leif Nagle, Lisa Nagle Van Coeneghem, Everett Sunderland, Andrew Sunderland, Kathryn Sunderland Cole, Emily Sunderland Malmgren, and Schaffer Sunderland; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and good friends. Family prefers memorials be sent to The God's Child Project, PO Box 1573, Bismarck, ND 58502.

Emilia Schaffer

December 6, 1911 - June 16, 2007