Reuben Schafer

Reuben Julian Schafer, age 80, of rural Colby, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, at Wausau Aspirus Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby. Rev. Chris Schwanz will preside. The funeral will be live streamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page or after the service anytime on Facebook or the website. Visitation with family and friends will be on Saturday from 12 p.m. until the time of service at the church. We encourage those in attendance to abide by the COVID-19 guidelines by sanitizing, wearing a mask (if able) and social distancing. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby is entrusted with the arrangements.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 30, 2021, starting at 2 p.m. at Cherokee Park.

Reuben was born on June 26, 1940, the son of Rudolph and Vera (Frahm) Schafer in Stratford. He was confirmed on May 29, 1955, at Zion Lutheran Church in Stratford. He attended Stratford School District. On Feb. 6, 1960, Reuben was united in marriage to Edith Krampien at St. John’s “High Steeple” Lutheran Church, Town of Wien. Together they raised their family in the Township of Hull, Cherokee Park area. She preceded him in death on July 15, 2002. On August 27, 2005, he was united in marriage to Loretta (Nunemaker) Schultz at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Milan.

Reuben was known by all as the musky fisherman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping and had many tales to tell. Reuben worked at Rollo Home of Marshfield and retired after 44 years at Packaging Corporation of America. He cherished his family most of all.

Reuben is survived by his second wife, Loretta Schafer of Colby; his children: Kris (Dan) Nosbisch of Colby, Cindy (Chuck) Jantsch of Colby, Jody (John) Umnus of Merrill, Jeremy (Julie) Schafer of Stratford, Jeremy (Brenda) Schultz of Neillsville, Leatha (Corey) Hopperdietzel of Colby and Krissy (Matt) Neyrinck of Kronenwetter; grandchildren: Gunnar (Jordana) Umnus of Weyauwega, Trevor (Ashley) Umnus of Summerset, S.D., Mitch (Jenna Schwabe) Nosbisch of Stratford, Addison and Chloe Schafer of Stratford, Easten and Ashten Schultz of Neillsville, Seth, Rolyn and Myra Hopperdietzel of Colby; and a greatgrandson, Archer Umnus of Weyauwega. He is further survived by sisters: Ellen Paun of Granton, Susie (Charlie) Kramer of Stratford and Linda Kalmon of Marshfield; brothers: John (Sandee) Schafer of Edgar, David (Sophia) Schafer of Cedarburg; brother-in-law, Butch Carl of Stratford; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Edith “Patty” Schafer; his brother, Allan; his sister, Nancy Carl; and his brother-inlaw, John Paun.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.

Paid obituary 101082