Arthur Joseph Schaefer

Arthur J. Schaefer was born in 1929 to Hubert and Barbara Schaefer of Hoven, SD. He died at the age of 91 on June 21, 2021 from the combined effects of his advanced years. Arthur grew up on the family farm and attended school in Hoven, graduating Class of ‘48 from Hoven high school. During these formative years Arthur learned the value of self-reliance, hard work and love of family. He also developed a love for the land and doing things with his hands, passions that would stay with him his entire life. After high school Arthur continued working on the family farm until his induction into the US Army and deployment in the Korean War. After completion of his US Army tour, Arthur returned to Hoven. Then in 1956 began a series of events that dramatically changed Arthur’s life. He moved to Portland, Oregon and found employment as a Boilermaker’s apprentice with Gunderson Bros. Being an apprentice meant taking night classes at Benson Polytechnic that would prepare him for his new career. Also, that year he married Marie Reding, the love of his life, and together they began planning their family. By 1960, Arthur had completed his trade courses and become a journeyman Boilermaker; and Arthur and Marie moved their young family into the home built in his spare time. By now Arthur and Marie had two sons, Joseph and Francis. In addition, their home site near Tualatin, OR, had sufficient space for a garden plot and in the following decades there would always be fresh fruit and vegetables on the Schaefer table. For the next 31 years Arthur worked at Gunderson Brother’s rail division in NW Portland assembling railroad cars. He retired at the beginning of 1992. Then in mid-1993 Marie passed away and Arthur actively focused his time volunteering at church functions, tilling his garden and other home projects. Several folks have on multiple occasions received fresh vegetables from Arthur’s garden over the years. Arthur is survived by two of his sisters Beatrice Hein and Doris Ann Nordhues, his two sons, Joseph and Francis, two granddaughters and two great-granddaughters. Arthur will be laid to rest at Willamette National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers Arthur's family asks that a donation to Meals on Wheels be made in his honor. Please leave a message of condolence for the family by clicking the tab above.

Arthur Joseph Schaefer

December 6, 1929 - June 21, 2021