Obituary of June Rae (Ellis) Schafer

June Rae (Ellis) Schafer, age 99, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024 in Crosslake, Minnesota at Whitefish at the Lakes Assisted Living, with her daughters by her side.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Schafer, parents Idella Glenn and Ray Ellis, and her sister, Jane Volin. She is survived by her loving daughters, Vicki (Randy) Wiener, Terry (Jeff) Hoffman, and Debbie (Larry) Oliver; grandchildren Kristin, Katie (Larry), Erin (David), Michael, David (Kayla), Gina (Tim), Donald (Shawna); great-grandchildren Aaliyah, Dasia, Anna, DJ, Kacey, Timothy, Gianna, Jack, and Dean.

June was born in Waterloo, Iowa on June 19, 1924. She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa and went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. She spent time doing private duty nursing before going to work for the VA Hospital in Minneapolis where she met her husband, Don.

She gave up nursing to become a homemaker and mother to her three girls. Her passion for caregiving extended far beyond her time as a nurse and a mom. She spent many nights comforting her dog while sleeping on the bathroom floor during thunderstorms. She made milk toast for the unexpected liter of guinea pigs she discovered one morning, and even spent a night on the couch with a dying bird nestled in her arms. She enjoyed her furry friends and there was not a pet she did not love with all her heart.

In her spare time, she enjoyed “Birthday Club” with the neighbor ladies, shopping, dancing, TOPS, and especially summers up north initially at the same resort for many years, where she made lifelong friendships. The last 50 years she enjoyed spending summers in Manhattan Beach Minnesota with her kids and grandkids making memories that will last a lifetime.

She will certainly be missed by all who had to pleasure to know her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 19, 2024 at 11:00 am at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, 1509 27th Avenue NE Minneapolis MN with a luncheon to follow. Private interment.

The family would like to thank the staff at St Croix Hospice and Whitefish at the Lakes Assisted Living for their love and compassion during her short stay.

Memorials in honor of June can be directed to the Macular Degeneration Association or the Animal Humane Society.