Mathilda Schaffer | October 10, 1922 - August 10, 2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Aug 11, 2022 | 8:56 AM / 364 views
PLEASE VISIT THURSDAY NIGHT TO VIEW THE SERVICE FOLDER, SERVICE PHOTOS, VIDEO TRIBUTE, AND MATHILDA’S FUNERAL
Mathilda Schaffer, 99, Herreid, SD, died Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at the Walworth County Care Center, Selby, SD. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at the Eureka Reformed Church led by Pastor James Grossmann. Organist will be Michelle Grossmann and usher will be Earl Mehlhaff. Congregational hymns will be “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “Jesus Loves Me”, and “In the Garden”. Interment follows at the Eureka Cemetery with son-in-law, David singing “Gott Ist Die Liebe”.
Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 PM Monday at Lien-Straub Funeral Chapel, Eureka.
Mathilda Heiser, daughter of Margaretha (Weller) and John J. Heiser, was born near Artas, SD on October 10, 1922. She was raised on the Heiser farm and attended Holzwarth Country School. Following her schooling, she kept busy as a hired girl for neighboring families. Mathilda married Emil Schaffer in Mound City, SD on October 19, 1944. In 1945, they settled on a farm they purchased 10 miles southeast of Herreid. Mathilda remained on the farm until February 2020 when she relocated to the Walworth County Care Center.
Mathilda kept busy on the farm where she raised chickens, sewed clothes for her children, and kept a big garden. Mathilda was a talented crocheter and house plant horticulturist. She enjoyed making homemade noodles, apple bars, kuchen, strudels, and other German dishes. Mathilda was a member of the Eureka Reformed Church and the Gopherettes Extension Club.
Mathilda is survived by five sons—Roger Schaffer of Wetumka, AL, Allen Schaffer of Herreid, Lester Schaffer of Crooks, SD, Dan Schaffer of Grand Forks, ND, and Randy Schaffer of Aberdeen, SD; five daughters—Phyliss (Paul) Erdmann and Nora Schaffer of Aberdeen, Linda (David) Huft and Carol (Jon) Becker of Pierre, SD, and Margie Rau of Kief, ND; two sisters—Irene Knapp and Elsie (Merle) Mettler of Rapid City, SD; 14 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Emil, on April 21, 2001; her father, John, on August 19, 1969; her mother, Margaretha, on September 25, 1967; one daughter, Lorraine Leidholt, on January 10, 1997; three brothers—Walter, Art, and, in infancy, Herbert; nine sisters—Otillia Horst, Edna Schaeffer, Alma Heinrich, Martha Wiedmeier, Amanda Mayer, Hilda Stadel, Anna Bitz, Ella Bader, and Katheryn Mettler; son-in-law Aaron Rau on August 1, 2016; and an infant grandchild.
Honorary bearers will be grandchildren Mike Erdmann, Jason Erdmann, Kevin Erdmann, Sarah Erdmann, Nathan Huft, Sam Rau, Marita Erman, Jacob Rau, Heidi Becker, and Hannah Becker.
Casketbearers will be nephews Darrell Bader of Appleton, MN and Craig Schaffer of Mound City and grandchildren Evan Becker of Pierre, Fredrick Rau of Bismarck, ND, Jonathan Huft of Spearfish, SD, and Jim Erdmann of Horace, ND.
Mathilda’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page and be available Thursday night at this website.
Lien-Straub Funeral Chapel, Eureka is in charge of arrangements.