Sandra Joanne Schaeffer

Sandra (Sandy) Schaeffer

Sandra (Sandy) Schaeffer passed peacefully on September 6, 2024, just three days after her 88th birthday. She was born in Langdon ND to parents Ralph Albert Parker and Hilda Pauline (Domres) Parker on September 3, 1936. Sandy was the second child and oldest daughter of their 9 children.

The Parker family moved to Aurora IL when Sandy was in her teens where she attended West Aurora High School. After graduation she worked as a bookkeeper for a local bank.

Sandy’s life would forever change when she met the love of her life in Aurora – his name was Shifty. On their first date, he introduced her to the bar owner as his wife. The barkeep said, “I didn’t know you were married,” to which Shifty replied, “well I’m not yet,” as Sandy giggled and rolled her eyes. They married on August 17, 1957.

In 1962 Sandy and Shifty moved to Pewaukee WI with three of their six kids – Stacey, Susanne, and Sara. When asked by Shifty, Sandy said she wanted 6 children, so they got to work and had 3 more in Pewaukee – Jimmy, Joe, and Mary.

In the mid-70’s, Sandy rejoined the workforce as the bookkeeper at Furey Filter and Pump. She flourished there; she took great pride in organizing and recording their financial transactions. Sandy was all business while working but she loved being able to contribute to the firm and earn some spending money all her own.

In 1996, Sandy’s dream was realized when they built a new home in Ixonia WI. Up on a hill, it became her oasis, and she aptly named it Stonehill. There is lots of oak and river rock, trees, light and open space indoors and out. You can watch sunrises and sunsets from the same spot in the great room. It brought tremendous joy to her for the rest of her life.

Sandy loved to garden and Stonehill was her canvas. Every spring and summer she spent countless hours tending to her plants and flowers. She wore funny hats and boots and spent much of the time bending over but she always had a smile on her face.

Friends sometimes called her “Saint Sandy” because she had to endure the loud, comedic nonsense of Shifty. But to the family, she was a human saint for sure. Sandy was so devoted to her family in everything she did. She was always in service to us. It just made her happy if we were happy, no matter what. It was pure love and mostly unspoken. Offering a helping hand or a guiding comment filled her heart while also filling the hearts of those she touched. Her style was unassuming yet strong – confident yet calm. She encouraged us. She listened to learn and understand. She had opinions, yes, but she never judged and always stood up for her children.

Sandy cherished her friendships and fellowship with the other women in her communities. She played in a women’s golf league. She sang in the church choir and cleaned the church alter with her daughters. She played in mixed and women’s curling leagues. She volunteered at church functions and curling bonspiels to cook and clean. With her kids in tow, she was usually the last to leave an event because she was helping until all had left.

Sandy was an amazing cook – and prepped food often! A hot breakfast every morning, a packed lunch every afternoon, and a wonderful dinner for her brood. When she called us to eat that meant now! She was a master of all house duties and had a precise process for executing them. She likely found some peace in all of the chaos of raising 6 kids because of her organizational prowess!

Sandy and Shifty spent over 40 years as active members of the Kettle Moraine Curling Club. They had so many memories of their fun playing and carousing with their friends there. It led to worldwide travel which Sandy enjoyed very much. Representing KMCC, Sandy and her curling mates won the US Senior Women’s Curling Nationals with her team in 1994.

Sandy was quiet and unassuming, yet classic in style and steadfast in her compass. She always put others before herself, even to the end. Comforting other residents with a touch of her hand at Silverado Memory Care often brought her calm. She was proud of all her children and grandchildren. We all can’t wait to tell her first great-grandson Jude what a wonderful, kind and loving woman she was.

Sandy was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband Jim (Shifty) Schaeffer, her brother Murray Parker (the late Donna), her sister-in-law Donna (Schaeffer) Buchner (the late David), her brother-in-law Jack Schaeffer (the late Nancy), her niece Maggi (Buchner) Campbell, and her nephew-in-law James Campbell.

Sandy is survived by her siblings Loren Parker (the late Bobbie), Karen Fink (Bob), Jill Smith (the late Jack), Diane Harter (Denny), Becky Skummer (Mark), Melody Parker, and Jeff Parker (Rita), her children Stacey Schaeffer (Tiffiny), Susanne Schaeffer, Sara Schaeffer, Jim Schaeffer Jr. (Barb), Joe Schaeffer (Sandy), Mary Schaeffer (Gilbert), and her grandchildren AJ Wilten, Chelsea Schober, Elle Overholt (Robert), Raeleah Rebholz (Max), Ericka Schaeffer (Jake Thompson), Sydney Schaeffer (Garret Van Beek), Samantha Schaeffer, Avery Schaeffer, and her great-grandson Jude Overholt. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews from both sides of the family. 

A funeral mass will be held on September 12, 2024. Visitation is at 9am and Mass is at 10am at St. Anthony’s on the Lake, W280 N2101 Prospect Ave, Pewaukee, WI 53072. Internment is immediately after the service and a Reception at the Delafield Brewhaus,3832 Hillside Dr, Delafield WI 53018, will follow. We will celebrate both Sandy and Shifty at the Brewhaus since Dad passed during COVID.

The family is grateful to the caregivers at Silverado North Shore and Brighton Hospice for their compassionate care of mom over the past 16 months.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.