Francis B. Schaffer was born on September 27, 1928, in his family’s farmhouse near Loretto, KS, on a farm that he loved to visit on his subsequent birthdays. He left us on Saturday, October 9, just two weeks after a family celebration of his 93rd birthday. His wife of 71 years Alverna was by his side when he took his last breath on this side of heaven. She survives.
Francis was born to Frank and Barbara (Urban) Schaffer and he was a lifelong farmer, carpenter, welder, inventor, intuitive engineer, comedian/jokester, and a boisterous connoisseur of polka music and good beer.
Francis grew up on the family farm at Loretto and learned his
many "Jack-of-all-trades" skills from his father. He attended grade
school in and graduated high school from Bison, KS. He met his wife
Alverna at a dance, which was to be a lifelong passion for both of
them. Francis was a devout Catholic and was a Fourth Degree member of
the Knights of Columbus.
Farming in Lane County, Francis and Alverna raised six children, wheat and angus cattle. During these years, they also avidly pursued their dancing pleasure following several favorite bands in Nebraska and beginning what is probably the greatest polka music library ever collected, including LP records, 8-tracks, cassettes and cds! After 25 years, they retired from the farm and moved to Garden City, KS, where Francis was often the Top Salesman at Burtis Motor Company. In 1984 Francis and Alverna decided to follow several of their siblings to Round Rock, Texas, where Francis and his brother Raymond began "The Handy Pair" business, doing odd jobs during the construction boom that was happening in Austin at that time. If Raymond could not join Francis on the job, Alverna was the other half of the Handy Pair!
In 1991 Kansas was calling them back and they returned to their roots, landing in La Crosse, KS, where they have been living ever since. Francis loved being back in Rush County where he and Alverna began collecting family history. Being bilingual, they were able to interview many to seek the history of their German heritage. Never one to "retire", Francis also worked in La Crosse, with Leland Bisterfeldt doing his handy work for many years.
Francis was preceded in death by an infant sister, Eleanor, his parents, Frank and Barbara, a sister, Mary (Schaffer) Jones, two brothers, Clarence and John Schaffer, grandson, Trevor Messenger, and son-in-law, Van Brighton. He leaves behind his wife, Alverna, children, Jan Brighton of La Crosse, KS, Colette (Burton) Schauf of Columbia, MO, Jill (Mike) Bogard of Lawrence, KS, Rory (Janis) Schaffer of Topeka, KS, Eric Schaffer of Topeka, KS, and Gina (Warren) Cannon of Georgetown, TX, eighteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren, and one brother, Raymond Schaffer of La Crosse, KS.
The family will greet friends on Sunday, October 17, from 3-7 p.m. at St Michael’s Catholic Church in La Crosse, KS. The Knights of Columbus will lead the rosary at 4 pm. The polka mass celebration of life at St. Michael’s will be held at 10:30 on Monday morning, followed by inurnment at the La Crosse City Cemetery.
The family respectfully requests all visitation and memorial service attendees wear masks.
Social distancing is recommended.
Due to Covid 19, if you have a fever, cough, or are not feeling well, please send condolences via the on line guestbook, or mail.
In remembrance of Francis, the family asks that you pay a kindness forward.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.