Crawford Funeral Chapel, Inc.

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Lloyd H. Schaeffer May 10 1944 - May 04 2010
Funeral Mass for Lloyd H. Schaeffer, age 65, of Watertown, SD, will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Fr. Joseph Forcelle will officiate. Music will be provided by Leanne Giessinger, organist, with the Immaculate Conception Church Choir. Lloyd passed away on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at a care center in Sioux Falls, SD. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Watertown, SD. Honorary pallbearers will be: Michael Wagner, Mark Reichert, Jerry Schmeling, Brad Schmeling, Keith Halverson, and Dale Pepal. Active pallbearers will be: Scott Girardot, Venard Cordell, Roger Monson, LeRoy Monson, Jerry Jellesma, and Kenneth Gartzke. Visitation will be in Crawford Funeral Chapel, Watertown, on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday prior to the services. The family is requested to meet at the church on Saturday by 12:30 p.m. for a prayer service. Lloyd was born on May 10, 1944, in Watertown, SD, to Herman and Regina (Jellesma) Schaeffer. He attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Watertown High School in 1963. Friends will remember Lloyd as the young man who cut off the top of a ’57 Pontiac so that he could have a convertible. All convertibles had to have a top so Lloyd cut up his brother’s Navy parachute and made a top for his car. On February 20, 1965, Lloyd married Gwenn Schmeling in Immaculate Conception Church. Of all his relationships, his marriage was the most important. Together, they raised five children. Lloyd worked for Buick Motors in Watertown as a mechanic. In 1966, the couple moved to Billings, MT where he worked in the automobile industry until 1975. The couple then moved back to Watertown and opened “Steer and Stop”. They had their business for a few years and then moved back to Billings. They also lived in Arizona for a short time where Lloyd worked for CNN and did mechanic warranty work on cars and motorcycles. Due to ill family members they again moved back to Watertown. Lloyd worked at Premier Bank Card until he retired in 2009. After Gwenn’s death in 2005, Lloyd’s health began to deteriorate due to complications of diabetes. On December 29, 2009, his daughter Lori donated a kidney to him. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church where he served on many committees, school boards, taught CCD, and was a Eucharist minister and usher. He was proud to live his life as a Catholic. Lloyd stated that he was looking forward to seeing Gwenn in Heaven. He also did woodworking and many friends and family have something that he made. Lloyd is survived by two sons: Michael Schaeffer and Thomas Schaeffer both of Watertown, SD; three daughters: Lori (Michael) Wagner of Denver, CO, and Kristine (Scott) Girardot and Pamela (Mark) Reichert all of Billings, MT; 14 grandchildren; two brothers: Carl Lindner of Watertown, SD, and Gene (Sue) Lindner of Denver, CO; three sisters: Toni (Keith) Halverson of Sioux Falls, SD, Anne McCullough of Denver, CO, and Joan Drovdal of Sioux Falls, SD; and two brothers-in-law: Jerry Schmeling and Brad (Roxy) Schmeling all of Watertown, SD. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwenn; his parents; and two brothers. Memorial cards for the family may be mailed to: Kristine Girardot at 30 Brook Park Drive, Billings, MT 59102 or Pamela Reichert at 5434 Hennessey Road, Billings, MT 59106.

Lloyd H. Schaeffer
May 10 1944 - May 04 2010

Funeral Mass for Lloyd H. Schaeffer, age 65, of Watertown, SD, will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Fr. Joseph Forcelle will officiate. Music will be provided by Leanne Giessinger, organist, with the Immaculate Conception Church Choir. Lloyd passed away on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at a care center in Sioux Falls, SD.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Watertown, SD. Honorary pallbearers will be: Michael Wagner, Mark Reichert, Jerry Schmeling, Brad Schmeling, Keith Halverson, and Dale Pepal. Active pallbearers will be: Scott Girardot, Venard Cordell, Roger Monson, LeRoy Monson, Jerry Jellesma, and Kenneth Gartzke.

Visitation will be in Crawford Funeral Chapel, Watertown, on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday prior to the services. The family is requested to meet at the church on Saturday by 12:30 p.m. for a prayer service.

Lloyd was born on May 10, 1944, in Watertown, SD, to Herman and Regina (Jellesma) Schaeffer. He attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Watertown High School in 1963. Friends will remember Lloyd as the young man who cut off the top of a ’57 Pontiac so that he could have a convertible. All convertibles had to have a top so Lloyd cut up his brother’s Navy parachute and made a top for his car.

On February 20, 1965, Lloyd married Gwenn Schmeling in Immaculate Conception Church. Of all his relationships, his marriage was the most important. Together, they raised five children. Lloyd worked for Buick Motors in Watertown as a mechanic. In 1966, the couple moved to Billings, MT where he worked in the automobile industry until 1975. The couple then moved back to Watertown and opened “Steer and Stop”. They had their business for a few years and then moved back to Billings. They also lived in Arizona for a short time where Lloyd worked for CNN and did mechanic warranty work on cars and motorcycles. Due to ill family members they again moved back to Watertown. Lloyd worked at Premier Bank Card until he retired in 2009. After Gwenn’s death in 2005, Lloyd’s health began to deteriorate due to complications of diabetes. On December 29, 2009, his daughter Lori donated a kidney to him. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church where he served on many committees, school boards, taught CCD, and was a Eucharist minister and usher. He was proud to live his life as a Catholic. Lloyd stated that he was looking forward to seeing Gwenn in Heaven. He also did woodworking and many friends and family have something that he made.

Lloyd is survived by two sons: Michael Schaeffer and Thomas Schaeffer both of Watertown, SD; three daughters: Lori (Michael) Wagner of Denver, CO, and Kristine (Scott) Girardot and Pamela (Mark) Reichert all of Billings, MT; 14 grandchildren; two brothers: Carl Lindner of Watertown, SD, and Gene (Sue) Lindner of Denver, CO; three sisters: Toni (Keith) Halverson of Sioux Falls, SD, Anne McCullough of Denver, CO, and Joan Drovdal of Sioux Falls, SD; and two brothers-in-law: Jerry Schmeling and Brad (Roxy) Schmeling all of Watertown, SD.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwenn; his parents; and two brothers.

Memorial cards for the family may be mailed to: Kristine Girardot at 30 Brook Park Drive, Billings, MT 59102 or Pamela Reichert at 5434 Hennessey Road, Billings, MT 59106.

Guest book

Comment posted by: Joan Jim Strutz
Wed 09th Jun 2010 02:07 pm

I was so shocked to see that Lloyd passed away. Gwenn was a wonderful friend and being in their wedding back in 65, I will always remember. Lloyd was so considerate to me when Gwenn passed away, and sending me Christmas cards, etc. We had lost contact for the past few years only because Jim and I were going through a difficult time, not realizing that Lloyd was going through something worse. I think of Gwenn often, wishing we could meet for lunch. Now I can think of the two of them together

Comment posted by: Kristine Girardot
Tue 11th May 2010 08:46 am

My thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. We were very blessed to have such a wonderful father and will miss him very much. It gives us peace to know that he is once again re-united with our mother.

Comment posted by: Linda Day
Fri 07th May 2010 08:19 pm

I was at the funeral home tonight and I am sorry I didn't get to meet you all. I'm sorry I couldn't make it the funeral tomorrow. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Those of you who have to travel back home, have a safe trip and the Lord be with you.

Love and God Bless
Linda

Comment posted by: Heather Bury
Fri 07th May 2010 12:26 pm

I am so sorry to hear about Lloyd. I worked with him at Premier & he was a great guy to sit by. He certainly made an impression on everyone who knew him & will never be forgotten. He will be deeply missed by all. My thoughts & prayers will be his family in this difficult time.

Comment posted by: Jolene Halsne
Thu 06th May 2010 05:27 am

To the family of Lloyd, Extending my deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts. I hope all the good memories shared with your father & brother will help you get through the sad times. May God guide you in your grief.Thank you for the privledge and honor of serving Lloyd. Jolene Halsne, AseraCare Hospice

Comment posted by: Rosemary Ritchie
Wed 05th May 2010 08:25 pm

Dear Children of Gwenn and Lloyd
I am so sorry to hear the sad news of your father's loss. I was so glad to see him and several of you last summer at the time of the Hurley reunion. I didn't know he had been so sick. The last I heard he had done well after the kidney transplant. I was hoping he would be able to enjoy his retirement. He was such a devout man, you can feel comfort in knowing he is at peace and with your mother. I still miss her so. I will keep him and all of you in my pray

Comment posted by: Shirley Spaur
Wed 05th May 2010 05:28 pm

I am so Sorry too hear your Father had passed away. Although the pain is fresh in your hearts he is out of pain and is Re-united with your Mother. He has been a Great friend too my sister Adela and she too will miss him Dearly. She will miss going over too his home too chat and have coffee with him. You are ALL in my thoughts and Prayers.

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