Gerald E. "Jerry" Schaefer

AMANA, IA - Gerald “Jerry” Schaefer, loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the age of 73. Jerry was born in Dubuque, IA on March 2, 1951, to Joseph and Eileen “Dot” Schaefer. He was raised in Potosi, WI with his 7 siblings and learned the true meaning of “hard days work”. As a young boy, he worked in the feed mill and gradually learned how to build grain bins, spray corn, and deliver fertilizer. Jerry loved reminiscing about the “good ol days” and his time spent around agriculture. He was part of the 1969 graduating class from Potosi High School where he was an all-around athlete. After high school, Jerry continued his athletic career by participating in a fastpitch softball league and was part of two state championship teams in 1974 and 1976. In 1974, Jerry played for Janlin and in 1976 he played for Rings. Each team went on to participate in the World Softball Championships. Many hours have been spent playing basketball in the driveway or throwing a baseball in the backyard. Jerry married Debra Beschen on May 17th, 1991, in Clinton, IA. It was on this day he went from a family of two to a family of seven. He was the epitome of hard work and that showed through his years working at Schaefer Tire in Clinton, IA and Blevins, Inc. in Nashville, TN. He was always willing to help in any way he could and became part of the FEMA efforts where he hauled supplies down to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and Joplin, MO after the EF-5 tornado. Jerry worked for Schneider Trucking in Amana, IA until the day he passed away. Here he won the “Driver of the Year” award and was selected as a district representative to attend the National Meeting in Green Bay, WI. Jerry loved watching the Green Bay Packers, the Wisconsin Badgers, and rooting for all other Wisconsin teams.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Debra Schaefer of Amana, Iowa; five children, Chris Schaefer (Aaron) of Marion, IA, Sara McEleney (Michael) of Iowa City, IA , Megan Miller (Allen) of Mount Vernon, IA, Jessica Altenhofen (John) of Williamsburg, IA, and Stephanie Deitch (Nick) of Marion, IA; twelve grandchildren, Adalyn, Boston, Emerson, Valerie, Gavin, Noah, Evan, Connor, Charlotte, William, Mason, and Gabriel; three brothers, Joe Schaefer of Atkinson, NH, Bill Schaefer (Ina) of Potosi, WI, and Denis Schaefer (Sara) of Grimes; three sisters, Mary Timmerman of Dickeyville, WI, Connie Walsh (Tim) of Dubuque, IA, and Ruth Schaefer (Sam Brinkman) of Sun Prairie, WI, in-laws, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by Joseph Schaefer (father), Eileen Schaefer (mother), Gene Schaefer (brother), and David Timmerman (brother-in-law).

Jerry’s quick wit, laugh, “Hey, cool man”, and “Debbie, you’re not going to like these” will definitely be missed.

A prayer service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Noon at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster. A visitation celebrating Jerry will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 10:00am until the time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to the Grant County Humane Society in Lancaster, WI or Safe Haven of Iowa County in South Amana, IA.