Catherine Delores 'Dee' Shafer, 86

Catherine Delores "Dee" Shafer, age 86, of Menomonie, Wis., died Monday, Oct. 29, at Mayo Clinic Heath System-Menomonie.

Dee was born Sept. 20, 1926, the daughter of Edward and Anna (Hager) Webster, in Plum City, Wis. She grew up in rural Ellsworth and attended Clayfield Elementary School and Ellsworth High School. She graduated in 1945. After graduation, she worked at the Pierce County Courthouse for about 8 years. During that time, she met her future husband, Ivan Shafer. They were married June 6, 1951, at the Clayfield Catholic Church.

After marriage, Ivan and Dee started farming. They partnered with Willie Traynor in El Paso Township. They lived on the farm together with Willie and started raising their family of 9 children.

Church and family were an important part of Dee's life. She was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in El Paso and later Sacred Heart in Spring Valley. She enjoyed many activities such as square dancing and bowling. She kept busy taking care of her family and was active in 4-H, the P.T.A., and the El Paso Homemakers Club.

She was a great cook, and some of her family favorites were popcorn balls, potato salad, and Christmas cookies.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Edward and Anna; husband, Ivan, who died in 2008; son-in-law Scott Hoffman; brothers, Robert and Bernard "Bud" Webster.

She is survived by six sons and three daughters: Tim (Mary) Shafer, Hudson, Wis.; Terry (Sue Gregg) Shafer of Spring Valley, Wis.; Tony (Marsha) Shafer, Elmwood, Wis.; Tom (Bonnie) Shafer, Sartell, Minn.; Julie Hoffman, Menomonie; Jane (Bruce) Erickson, Baldwin, Wis.; Jeff (Shelly) Shafer, Spring Valley; Jackie (Barry) Garfield, Menomonie; and Joe (Amy) Shafer, Hortonville, Wis.; 22 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Carol Sukowatey of River Falls; three sisters-in-law, Betty Webster of Ellsworth, Pat Webster of Spring Valley, and Margaret Golden of Spring Valley; brother-in-law Don Krause of W. St. Paul, Minn.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Spring Valley, with Fr. Kevin Louis and Br. Michael Mandernach officiating. Music will be provided by organist Ellen Rominski and the Sacred Heart Choir. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, and on Saturday 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Burial is in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, El Paso Township.

Pallbearers are Dee's six sons: Tim, Terry, Tony, Tom, Jeff, and Joe Shafer. Honorary pallbearers are Dee's grandchildren: Kipp, Blake, Travis; Chad, Kari, Todd; Melissa, Josh, Eric, Lindsey; Brooke, Katie, Derek; Becky, Brent; Jill, Brice; Kyle, Cody; Laura, Ryan; Adam.

Keehr Funeral Home (www.keehrfuneralhome.com) in Spring Valley assisted the family with arrangements.

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