Phyllis Schaefer

Phyllis L. (Hanson) Schaefer, 69, West Fargo, formerly Peoria, AZ entered the heavenly gates surrounded by her family and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Phyllis was born February 11, 1941 in Minneapolis, MN to Philip, Sr and Cecelia (Fiereck) Hanson. Phyllis attended Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School and graduated from Mound Senior High School in 1959. Growing up, Phyllis enjoyed spending time swimming, water skiing and ice skating with her brothers, sisters and many good friends. After high school, Phyllis went to work for J.R. Clark as a key punch operator for two years before getting married.

On June 10, 1961 Phyllis married Andrew Schaefer in Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Mound MN.  They spent their early married years in Minneapolis, working and raising a family.  Phyllis and Andrew with their 3 daughters moved to rural Moorhead in 1973, where Phyllis took great pride in raising 3 daughters.  Her family was her work.  She also helped Andy manage the family trucking business for 25 years. After retiring they moved to West Brook Village, Peoria, AZ, where she enjoyed attending many community activities, including Wednesday night cards, antiquing, gardening and traveling with friends.

Phyllis among many things was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Loved by many, she especially loved spending time with her grandkids. She treasured spending time with the grandchildren having afternoon tea parties, making homemade applesauce, teaching them to play cards, and doing crafts projects.  A highlight of visits to Arizona for the grandkids included afternoons at the park, swimming in the pool and picking oranges, lemons and grapefruit in Nana's trees. 

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 48 years Andrew Schaefer, children; Corinne (Kent) Busek, Deborah (Paul) Kukowski, Andrea (Tom) Balluff, grandchildren; Cade, Katherine, Carson Busek, all of Fargo ND, Emily, Jared Balluff, all of Nowthen MN, siblings; Jackie Dravis, Amery WI, Doloris Wood, Genoa, IL, Charles Hanson, Las Vegas NV, Phillip, Jr (Pam) Hanson, Zimmerman MN.  Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, and granddaughter, Carolyn Balluff.

The care Phyllis received at Roger Maris Cancer Center was outstanding.  The team there, lead by Dr. Gerald Gross was nothing short of outstanding.  Always compassionate, caring, and forthright.  Hospice of the Red River Valley, again, an incredibly dedicated, compassionate group of individuals, Joanie, Tracie, LeAnn, Susie took us in and guided us through these last six weeks.  It allowed for Mom to do this in her way, still teaching and providing comfort to us right up to the end.  Thank you for all you did. 

There will be a wake service on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at 3:00 with visitation one hour prior  at Nativity Catholic Church, Fargo, ND. There will be a Mass of Christian burial on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 10:30 with visitation one hour prior to the service in Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery, Mound, MN.

Burial will be in Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery, Mound, MN.

In July of 2008 Phyllis had "heated chemo" surgery in Grand Forks, ND.  Dr. Robert Sticca is one of very few surgeons who do this surgery and is one of the few appendix cancer specialists in the country.  Mom thought very highly of Dr. Sticca and wanted to support his cancer research work.  Her request was that any memorials be sent to: University of North Dakota Foundation for Cancer Research, 3100 University Avenue Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58207