Paul Schafer, 80, formerly of Sanborn, died Thursday, June 2, 2011, at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Sanborn with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. until time of services at the church.

Pastor Bryan Prell, officiating.

Condolences may be sent via e-mail at: www.sturmfh.com.

Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield.



Paul Schafer, Jr. was born in Worthington, MN on September 23, 1930, to Paul and Hannah (Doeden) Schafer. He graduated from Worthington High School and then served in the National Guard. Paul married Iris G. Schwarzenbach on August 26, 1950, and they celebrated their honeymoon at the Minnesota State Fair. They went on to have 5 children, 16 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Paul began his career with Red Owl working in the meat department in Yankton, SD for 20 years after which he purchased the Clover Farm Grocery Store in Fulda, MN in 1968 and sold that 2 years later. He then purchased another grocery store in Sanborn, MN (Schafer's Market) which he owned and operated for 30 years until retirement. Paul loved working with people and so enjoyed the grocery store. He spent several years at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls, MN where he was beloved by so many of their employees. Thank you so very much to the staff at LCC for their devoted care of our dad for the past 2 years. Paul loved golfing, fishing, and traveling. He was a proud past president of the Chamber of Commerce for many years, a past member of the American Legion, and a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Sanborn where he served on many committees.

Paul died June 2, 2011, peacefully with family members by his side. He was 80 and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by children- Alan (Julie) Schafer of Rochester, MN, Pamela (Kenyon) Norcutt of Waconia, MN, Thomas (Pamela) Schafer of Springfield, MN, Timothy (Barbara) Schafer of Chaska, MN, and Debra (William) Trevick of Bloomington, MN; 16 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; brothers- Arnold Schafer of Colorado Springs, CO, and Jerry (Joan) Schafer of Windom, MN; and sisters- Lillian Jacobson of Worthington, MN, and Mary Ann (Don) Haberman of Kimberling City, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandsons- Ryan Norcutt and Aaron Schafer; 2 brothers; and 1 sister.