Walter Schafer ~ January 5, 1919 - June 25, 2011

Walter Schafer age 92 of Forsyth passed away at Rosebud Health Care Center in Forsyth on June 25, 2011.  Walter Arnold Schafer was the first born child to Benjamin and Mayme Schafer in Rosebud, MT on January 4, 1919. He was the older brother of Anna Lloyd, Verna Johnson and John Schafer.
His family lived a few miles off Sweeny Creek, southeast of Rosebud where he and his siblings went to Ash Creek School from first to eighth grades. As the children needed to go to Rosebud for high school, the family moved into town. Later in life Walter bought a house where his folks lived until they passed away.

For many years Walter worked shearing sheep in the spring, the wheat harvest starting in Texas and working up to the Great Falls, MT area in the fall and then would work in the beet harvest from driving beet trucks to working at the Great Western Sugar Factory in Billings.

After he married Margaret Stovall at Niagara Falls on October 18, 1974, he started working for the Parks Department in Billings, MT. He got a gold watch from the Parks Dept. when he retired in 1992. They lived in Billings and went dancing quite often until Margaret passed away in February of 1994.
Shortly after Margaret’s death he moved to Rosebud to live with his nephew, Walter Lloyd, and his family. He would spend most of his day at his shop “on the hill” where he puttered with machinery and wood products. He also had a “green” thumb with flowers and gardening.

He always has been a gentle and caring person. Although he was never blessed with children of his own, family is the main fiber of his being! He has been there for his folks, siblings, nieces and nephews, and his friends and acquaintances.

On October 16, 1997 he moved into Forsyth to take up residence at the Rosebud Health Care Center where he lived until his passing.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Mayme Schafer, his sisters, Anna Lloyd and Verna Johnson, his brother John Schafer, his nephew, John Lloyd, his niece, Linda Conrad, and his wife Margaret Stovall. Walter leaves behind his nephews, James (Margie) Desjardin, Walter (Fran) Lloyd and Thomas (Annette) Schafer, his nieces, Betty Fleenor, Cora Lea (Dennis) Marks, and Donna Augustine as well as all of their children. Walter is also survived by John’s wife, Georgia Lloyd and Linda’s husband, John D. Conrad.

Viewing was held from 10-5p.m. Tuesday June 28, 2011 in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, MT. Funeral Services were 10a.m. Wednesday June 29, 2011 in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, MT. Burial was in the family lot of the Forsyth Cemetery in Forsyth MT. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth have been entrusted with these arrangements and condolences may be left on line by visiting  www.stevensonandsons.com . Print this post