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Published October 30, 2012, 09:01 AM

Catherine Delores 'Dee' Shafer, 86

Died Oct. 29, 2012

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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Pat H.
Columbus, IN     11/03/2012 10:34 AM

To the Shafer family; I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I wish I could be there to help you all celebrate her life. I will greatly miss both of your folks. I have to tell you a little story about your mom that I think about every time I think about Dee. I was staying overnight at your house, and Jeff and I were sleeping downstairs in the TV room. At some point during the night, your mom came in to check on us, and I woke up as she was covering Jeff up with a blanket, and then she came over to cover me up also. I remember thinking; “Wow! That is so cool. She is treating me just like one of her own children.” I have that memory every time I cover up one of my own children or one of their friends in the middle of the night. It was a simple act, but that is the way I always saw your mom. Doing for her family and doing for others. I will never lose that memory and I will never forget her. Sincerely; Pat Huebel

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Sue S.
River Falls, WI     10/31/2012 4:20 PM

Dee was our aunt, and a very nice lady she will be sadley missed. My mother Carol will miss her they were sister's, Alan, Don, Tom, Janet, Sue, and Christina will miss her. We went over to visit her and me and mom and my partner would take her out for lunch, and sat in her apartment and had nice long visits with her. We will all miss her Love Carol, Sue, Christina, Alan, Tom And Don Sukowatey. And Janet

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