Family/Spouse: Michael Wanner. Michael was born in 1832 in Rastadt, Odessa, Ukrayina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Anton Ludwig Fix. Anton (son of Peter Fix and Barbara Derschan) was born on 20 Jul 1876 in Sulz, Odessa, Ukrayina; died on 4 Aug 1921 in North Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Barbara married Johannes Michael Schäfer Schafer on 7 Jul 1919 in Richardton, Stark County, North Dakota, USA. Johannes (son of Johannes Ludwig Schafer and Magdalena Hörner) was born on 12 Feb 1896 in Speyer, Odessa, Ukrayina; died on 21 Mar 1989 in Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elisabetha Fettig. Elisabetha (daughter of Sylvester Fettig and Maria Anna Fischer) was born on 16 Jul 1905 in Odessa, Ukrayina; died on 19 Sep 1992 in Union Gap, Yakima County, Washington, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Nikolaus married LaRece Ann Brewer on 10 Nov 1940 in Idaho, USA. LaRece was born on 4 Sep 1918 in Idaho, USA; died on 28 Jan 2001 in California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Leo Frank Schafer (son of Michael John Schafer and Barbara Marie Fix) was born 30 Mar 1920 in Grant County, North Dakota, and died 09 Jun 1944 in Normandy, France.
Includes NotesNotes for Leo Frank Schafer:
KILLED IN ACTION ON THE SHORES OF NORMANDY FRANCE DURING WORLD WAR II, THREE DAYS AFTER D DAY 1944.
I asked each of the sisters and brothers to relate stories about growing up with Leo.
Here is Otto's comments:
What I can remember, growing up with brother Leo:
He was born in 1920 and drafted into the service in 1944.Can't remember too much of our pre-school years.We attended Parochial school at Fallon, N.D., for our 1st and 2nd grades, and it was great to have a brother along, as it was at least 25 miles from hme and we didn't see the folks until Friday night.
Leo was a little more assertive than I so he stood up for our rights and we didn't get walked on, too much...This applies to our growing up years at home too.Dad was a strict law-abider, and Leo balked a little at times, when he thought Dad was too restrictive.Leo took my part sometimes, as I was more of Mom's type of personality, and accepted what ever was tossed at me.However, things didn't get too serious between Dad and Leo, just a little friction once in a while, to keep things interesting.
Have always had a gratitude in my heart for Leo holding down the fort at the farm, so I could attend High School, since my asthma and hay fever put me in a useless state, all summer, and the folks and Leo wanted to prepare me for another type of career besides Agriculture, where I was exposed to dust and weed, that affected my breathing and made me lose interest in life.
Leo wasn't a cowboy, but did enjoy dressing up in his best suit and cap and pose on his shetland pony.He was great with them.He had one girl friend when he was drafted, and ended up with a new "best friend", while in the service..both good picks!
In June of 1944, after he was drafted into the US Army, he was shipped to France during World War II, and lost his life there, in the service of his Country.Earned the "Purple Heart"!I will never lose sight of the fact that he gave up his life for his Country, and especially for me, so I could stay home and persue my future.We often wonder what his future would have brought him.His earlier years of acomplishments provide us clues that he would have been very successful!
Here is Adam's recollections.
I remember brother Leo as a 20 year old young man who was ambitious, honest, obedient, hansome and popular among his friends and siblings.I heard Dad telling friends and neighbors many times, how proud he was of Leo because he was able to drive a loaded grain truck at 10 years of age, around the farm.Altho the truck at that time was comparable to a 1/2 ton pickup of today.Leo being the eldest of the children in our family, had to learn about hard work and responsibility at an early age, much like our eldest son David, who drove our first new tractor, a 44 H.P. 1950 Minneapolis Moline, Model V, between farm and fields, when he was just five years old.
When I was 12 years old, Dad bought a new 1936 35 H. P. John Deere Model AR tractor in the spring of 1937.Leo was the main operator of that "new tractor" that spring.He would be plowing the 103 acre field down on section 3.After school, we kids would walk home, do the evening chores, milking cows, feeding hogs, etc., and quickly I would run to the field where Leo was plowing with the "new tractor", and ride with him until dark.I just loved being out in the cool spring air with the smell of fresh soil being turned over, and also the smell of oil and gasoline of the "new tractor" and smelling the green paint, is still a vivid memory.
Leo had a keen sense of mechanical ability, he learned from Dad and the neighbors.He taught me how to adjust or "set the tappets" on a chevrolet car engine. (Dad's 1936 Chevy Car).
Leo would also take it upon himself to try new and different management practices while working here at home with Dad on the farm.One thing I remember well, during the winter months, he suggested we give the milk cows, tied up in their stanchions (there's an old word) one last feeding of hay just before our bedtime every night, to increase milk production.I used to dread trudging out to the barn on cold winter nights after evening or night prayers (we all said together, standing in the living room), climb up into the hay mow and poke down some hay for the milk cows and of course the horses too, tied up in their stalls in the horse barn and the calf barn.
In 1936, the "dirty thirties", Leo and Otto joined the "3 C's"(Civilian Conservation Corporation), a government subsidized youth work program.They sent their paychecks home to help support the family.Also that fall and winter, a "W.P.A." program was started for poor farmers who had little or no income due to the extreme drought. (Works Projects Administration).Farmers used their teams of horses, scrapers, and farm wagons to build roads, haul gravel, and build stock dams, and bridges, for federally subsidized emergency income.
Leo helped Dad on the farm until he was drafted into the 357th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in early 1941.I think he was home on a 30 day leave only once or twice in 1942 and 1943, then was killed in action in Normandy France on June 6, 1944.
More About Leo Frank Schafer:
Burial: 12 Jun 1944, American Cemetery, Omaha Beach France.

Notes:

Otto Michael Schafer (son of Michael John Schafer and Barbara Marie Fix) was born 29 Jul 1921 in Grant County, North Dakota, and died 18 Aug 2001 in Havre, Montana.He married (1) Clara Naomi Dawson on 14 Sep 1949 in Fallon, North Dakota, daughter of Ralph Dawson and Ora Helmick.He married (2) Iona Hostetter on 22 May 1977 in Havre, Montana, daughter of Charles Hostetter and Ethel Bussey.
Includes NotesNotes for Otto Michael Schafer:
What little I can remember of my growing up years!
Was born on July 29, 1921 and had one older brother, Leo.Leo and I attended Otter Creek School #1, a couple of miles from our home, from the 3rd grade through the 8th.We had a buggy and horse, and later a team, to drive to school for those years.The 1st and 2nd grades were completed at Fallon Parocial School about 20 miles from home .We boarded there Monday through Friday.I attended Flasher High School and graduated in 1940. ( Editors Note:Flasher High School was "graced" with the M. J. Schafer siblings for 20 years, the editor, being the youngest graduating in 1960)
Due to my inherited affliction of asthma and hay fever, I didn't have much of a future in agriculture, so the folks and Leo did the farming and sacrificed, so I could have another way of life.Ironically, I still stayed in agriculture, but instead of being out in the field, I helped the economyby standing behind the counter of machine dealers and helped the farmers get their crops in and out, for about 30 years.
During that time, I was married and the father of four children, Paulette, Joan, Nicholas, and Laurel.They are all grown up and married and have families of their own.Everyone of them are successful and doing very well.I never talk about them, except to brag!
In 1975, I was invited to join brohter Dick in the insurance business, in Havre, Montana, and have been here ever since.I have sold out my share of the business since then, but since we never have had a cross word in 20 years, he still lets me come in and help with phones and have a place to go when I get tired of sitting around home.I am also presently engaged in the bail bond business and have my HQ at the Insurance office.
In 1975 I marriedIona McEwen Hosteter, and we are still greeting the day together,choosing to face the world together.We have 10 grandchildren and 2 great grand children and we love them all!
More About Otto Michael Schafer:
Burial: 22 Aug 2001, Mandan, North Dakota.
More About Otto Michael Schafer and Clara Naomi Dawson:
Divorce: 1974, St. Michael, Minnesota.
Marriage: 14 Sep 1949, Fallon, North Dakota.
More About Otto Michael Schafer and Iona Hostetter:
Marriage: 22 May 1977, Havre, Montana.
Children of Otto Michael Schafer and Clara Naomi Dawson are:
+Paulette June Schafer, b. 04 Aug 1950, Mandan, North Dakota.
+Joan Cecilia Schafer, b. 10 Nov 1951, Riverdale, North Dakota.
+Nicholas Paul Schafer, b. 08 Dec 1952, Garrison, North Dakota.
+Laurel Naoma Schafer, b. 14 Mar 1955, Garrison, North Dakota.

Notes:

Charlene Schafer SSpS (daughter of Michael John Schafer and Barbara Marie Fix) was born 14 Jul 1923 in Grant County, North Dakota, and died 12 Apr 2007 in Techny, Illinois.
Includes NotesNotes for Charlene Schafer SSpS:
Journey: From Dakota to Ilinois and beyond!
July 14, 1923, a Saturday, I was born on the Doolittle Farm, in Grant County, North Dakota.My four year old brother Leo, and two year old brother Otto, had already come to the very humble homeof Barbara Fix Schafer, and Michael J Schafer, young homesteaders.Mother's younger brother, Joseph, 10 years old at the time, told me later that he remembered the day I was born.He was there on our farm, helping my father and mother, enjoying vacation from school in Garrison, ND, where he ususlly lived with Grandma Fix.
On July 22, I was baptized at St. Lawrence Church, Flasher, ten miles from our farm.My godmother was Monica Scholl, a good friend of the family; my godfather, a cousin of Mother's, Anton Wilhelm.They named me Caroline Monica.
My first memories are of my two brothers to whom I looked with awe.My brother Leo, was a loving teaser!He called me "Carolina Moon keep shining!", and when I was learning to talk, he'd pretend to be shocked, saying, "Who put a nickel in You?"
Meanwhile we all grew in age, wisdom and grace.Leo and Otto went away to boarding school in Fallon to prepare for First Holy Communion.Sts. Peter and Paul school was taught by Benedictine Sisters among whomwere our paternal aunts, Sister Magdalen, and Sister Pia, ( who later changed back to her baptismal name: Sister Rose).When they came to visit I loved to watch them, and remember vaguely wondering what it would be like to be a Sister.Once they put a long "habit", coif and veil on me so we could see how I would look as a Sister.I had no experience of being drawn then.Later I met other Benedictine Sisters in Summer Catechism School.Still later, at St. Mary's Centeral High in Bismarck, Benedictines were my teachers in my Senior year.Sister Mary Gertrude, OSB, helped me to finalize my vocation aspirations, affirmed that she belived I did have a CALL.
ONE VERY PRECIOUS MEMORY stands out:While kneeling by Mom's side at Benediction at our parish church on Sunday, I looked with amazement at my Mother's glowing face as she gazed at the Monstrance.Her FAITH was literally SHINING and permeating me as well, though I did not at the time, yet "KNOW" Jesus, as I do now.My wondering was rewarded soon.On the farm, something happened that frightened me.I went to my room where there was a statue of the Sacred Heart, and looking at it, said, (or rather thought) "I don't think YOU hear our prayers, or care, or watch over us as Mom says YOU do, because look what happened!Indelibly etched into my memory is HIS reply: "I do hear you and I do care... You are my own precious own...It made wonderful sense!In hindsight, I know that from that moment on I have known that Jesus is alive, here, and always would be with me whereever I am.And that whatever happens, whatever, it somehow is part of a great plan of HIS. very well planned for the good of all concerned.This has been a pattern in my whole life.There really are no words to describe the Joy and confort of this Blessed Assurance Policy that Jesus gave me then, and HE has reiterated it millions of times since.
Life goes on.My next clearest memory is of the funeral of our Grandpa Schafer.I was five years old (1928)I remember Grandpa in the coffin, sleeping peacefully, it seemed to me, and I wondered why everyone was so sad. (I enjoyed the ride to St. Peter & Paul Church, in Fallon; we followed the horse-drawn hearse carrying Grandpa).
My next memory is of coming home from Fallon where we picked up Leo and Otto who were going to school there in preparation for their First Holy Communion.As we neared home on the farm, Mr. Danzeisen, our neighbor, met us and said, "Mike told me to meet you and tell you to go to Aunt Elizabeth's house, because your house has burned down!Aunt Elizabeth was driving, so we turned and went to Crown Butte.We stayed with Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Matt Vogel until Dad had fixed up our granery for us to live in while the new house was being built on the site where Adam & Helen now live.At Aunt Elizabeth's, my main memory is of playing tag with Leo and Otto, and cousins Emma & Margie when suddenly I fell unconscious because I had run into a barbed wire fence that I did not see because it was dusk.My throat was badly torn.When I woke up I was all bandaged around my head and neck and wondered what had happened.
When it was my turn for "First Holy Communion" instructions, I went to live with Grandma Fix in Garrison, ND., and came to know and love Aunts Margaret and Rosie, and Uncles Nick, Louis, and Joe.At home on the farm, by this time, little brothers Adam, Peter, and Johnny had arrived.I missed them all a lot, so Grandma and family were extra wonderful to me to stave off my homesickness.Uncle Joe contracted diphtheria, and we were all quarantined.It was nearing my First Holy Communion date:April 3, 1931, and I worried about not being with my class for the great event.My worry was another occasion for God to "visit" me and renew The Blessed Assurance Policy!I fell asleep feverishly, with a sore throat.I "dreamed" that a thick cloud was swallowing me!Then I heard the VOICE I recognized saying: "Lose yourself in ME, and you will be alright!"I slept soundly, and in the morning the doctor came and pronounced both Rosie and me well enough to go back to school.The others all had to stay in quarantine!First Holy Communion Day dawned, and what a MEETING.......That afternoon we left to return to the farm with Mom and Dad and the little brothers!Back at the "Little White Schoolhouse" I became a "celebrity" because the Sisters at St. Nicholas had let me skip second grade, promoted me to third.
At school, my one classmate from third through eighth grades was Donald Weeks.When Miss Lanson, or Miss Malmberg, or Mr. Peters did not require my help with the first or second graders, I read most of the books in our tall corner library bookcase after I had finished my assignments (and helped Donald with his!).My best friends in school through the years were Lois Grimm, Leanor Weeks, Mary Wright, our cousins, Julia and Maggie Schafer, and Ellen and Jane Lammsies.On rare occasions I stayed over night (pajama parties) with them.
After receiving my 8th grade diploma in the mail, I joined Otto at Flasher High School.We boarded at Mrs. Evanson's mini-hotel, where we did our own cooking.I remember Mrs. Evanson writing in my autograph book, "Stay as sweet as you are now the rest of your life and you'll make some man a wonderful wife! I remember thinking, I hope so, because that MAN is going to be Jesus!I knew since third grade that no one else would do!In my senior year, wanting to get acquainted with Sisters, because I wanted to be one, I asked and received permission to go to St. Mary's Centeral In Bismarck, where Benedictine Sisters taught.
During high school I loved journalism and Latin best of all my subjects.I loved helping with the school newspaper.I loved following the Hit Parade tunes, knew most of them by heart, singing them to Jesus as my prayers.A couple of favorites were: "Because Of You, Theres' A Song In My Heart, Because Of You, My Romance Had A Start, Because Of You The Sun Does Shine, The Moon And Stars All Say You're Mine, Forever, Never To Part......"and "I Tell Every Little Brook, To Them My Heart Is An Open Book, Why Haven't I Told You?"I was not by any means an angel.One day, Julia, Maggie, Edith Jensen, and I went for a walk early in the morning in the hills outside Flasher instead of going to school!In essence we played hookey!The next morning the ohter three were called upon to make amends by standing in fron of the assembly in study hall!I, having anticipated this sort of thing had stayed home with a headache.Otto told me he was disappointed in me for not taking my punishment as I deserved.He admired the others for owning up and taking the consequences.I was properly humiliated!
GentleSister Mary Gertrude guided me to pray for the grace to know where God called me to serve HIM.I was graduated in May, 1942.Having written to several convents for information, I waited for the next sign.
Aunt Rosie wrote and asked if I could come take care of her little boy, Gary, because another baby was coming soon.She and Uncle Larry Fugere lived in Minneapolis.Dad put me on the train... and was so busy talking with another passenger, that the train started to move with him still on board.Mom, sitting in the station, was waiting for him to come back.He had to stay on the train until Jamestown, some 100 miles down the track!Aunt Rosie gave birth to Diane, and I had the great joy of being her godmother when she was baptized.It had been fun to cook for an keep house for Uncle Larry and little Gary, but then I was eager to get back to the farm.
When I returned to the farm, awaiting me were several letters from the convents I had asked for information.One of my requests was in answer to an almost "negligable" smallad in the Sunday Visitor that invited:"Be a Missionary": Write to Mother Provincial, Techny, Illinois.The reply to my letter was a personal letter from Sister Lillian, SSPs, which warmly invited me to send her more information about me, and included a questionaire to fill out.This letter made my choice very easy.The other convents had sent just brochures, information, not especially welcoming.I wrote to Sister Lillian, received an answer immediately to seek the Pastor's recommendation and a few other things to get together.Father Poetgens' most kindly gave his Blessing in writing, and the documents required birth and baptizmal certificates, and I sent them on.Mother Provincial Margarethis sent her Blessing and acceptance and welcome letter, and on August 31, 1943, I was on my greyhound- bus- way to Techny!
July 6, 1946, I made my first temporary vows, receiving the blue veil of a professed Sister.I began summer survey courses at De Paul University, to be continued for the next fourteen summers, until I had earned the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy.
September, 1946I went to my first Mission in Meridan, Mississippi where I taught second grade.Thorough four years there I enjoyed the antics of and loved every moment with about 240 little black 7-year olds.I also took care of our 13 member community's 90 chickens, and was sacristan, and Holy Childhood Moderator and Altar-boy instructor.On free days, Sister Gregory and I visited the county hospital and brought treats and clothing, etc., for the poor.Those were happy days!
January 6, 1952, I made final vows, receiving the "Wedding Ring" of Espousal to Jesus Christ Our Lord.A few days later I was back in The South, this time in North Little Rock, Arkansas, to teach third grade.For the next four years...Then to Meridian and Greenville, Mississippi and to Girard Pennsylvania, Iron Mountain and Norway Michigan, for a total of twenty years of primary school classes.
June, 1991 "Silver Jubilee" celebration.Many of the family were in Techny for this day and have delightful stories of their own to tell, about the fun they had.
Much, very much history, or "herstory" has happened since, far too much for this instance of the telling, for I want to leave plenty of space for the rest of our trully blest and wonderful family.Let me just begin to conclude by saying that I know myself to be incredibley BLESSED by not just one family, but many families:my Pen Pal "family" in Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and Singapore; many, many beautiful Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit all over the world, very many of whom come for studies and cross-cultural experiences, as well as Fathers and Brothers of the Society fo the Divine Word and Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration,, all having been founded by the one Founder:Blessed Arnold Janssen.In May, 1995 we will have the great joy of seeing our Mother Foundress, Helena Stolenwerk also beatified by Pope John Paul II.Rejoice with us.
Thank you, God!By your grace, your"Carolina Moon"keeps on shining--shining for the ONE who waits for her home-coming!
More About Charlene Schafer SSpS:
Baptism: 22 Jul 1923, St. Lawrence Chruch, Flasher, ND.
Fact 6: RELIGIOUS NUN.
Fact 7: PRAYING, SINGING, WRITING, & READING.
Fact 8: TECHNY, ILLINOIS.
Fact 9: ROMAN CATHOLIC.
Fact 10: 24 May 1942, GRADUATED FROM ST. MARY'S BISMARCK.
Fact 11: 03 Sep 1943, ENTERED THE CONVENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Fact 12: 06 Jul 1944, FIRST VEIL.
Fact 13: 06 Jan 1952, FINAL VOWS.

Peter married Vivian Iyone Larson on 4 Jul 1951. Vivian was born on 24 Jul 1932 in Mandan, Morton County, North Dakota, USA; died on 21 Oct 2012 in Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota, USA; was buried in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Bismarck, Burleigh County, North Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Gavis Ringham on 2 Sep 1953, and was divorced. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Anthony Frank. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Margaret married Andrew John Schweitzer [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Matt Kraft. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Irene married Howard Bryant Isler on 23 Sep 1939 in Montana, USA. Howard was born on 24 Apr 1919 in Montana, USA; died on 15 Jul 2001 in Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]