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Dorothy Shaffer Obituary
Dorothy Jean Shaffer, 72, of Brethren, died Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at The Maples in Frankfort. She was born March 2, 1948, in Manistee.
Jeannie devoted her life to shaping young people and serving her community. She was a school teacher at Kaleva Norman Dickson School District for 32 years, teaching Home Economics and Life Skills classes until her retirement in 2003. She served as the school's longtime FHA/FCCLA Advisor, building the chapter up to the point where KND's was the second largest in the state.
Jeannie loved to travel and she did so often. Her favorite destination was Disney World, a place she visited 21 times. In addition to all things Disney, Jeannie loved to garden and tend to her flowers. She was a woman of faith and worshiped at the Onekama Church of the Brethren. Most of all, Jeannie loved her students, many of whom have gone on to do great things as a direct result of her guidance. They are her legacy.
Jeannie is survived by her brothers, Thomas (Donna) Krahe of Manistee and Timothy Krahe of Onekama; her niece, Shelly (Jason) Golembiewski of Manistee; her nephew, Dennis (Rebekah) Krahe of Florida; her great-nieces, Quinn Golembiewski and Adison Krahe; her caregiver, Rebecca Somsel; her church family at the Onekama Church of the Brethren; and many former students, fellow educators, administrators, staff, and friends made over the course of her career at KND.
Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents, Newton and Irene (Layman) Krahe.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at the Dickson Township Park, 14270 N. Coates Highway, Brethren, Michigan 49619. Please bring a lawn chair, and wear Bobcat Blue or FHA/FCCLA Red. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until time of services at the park.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Onekama Church of the Brethren, Heiffer International, or to your local Parkinson's support group.
The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dorothy Shaffer
Christine Wheeler
July 24, 2020
It was a pleasure to have got to know you in a short time....you will be missed...until we meet again...blessed be....
Kathy Jacobson
July 9, 2020
Jean was my very special mentor when I became an advisor at Pickford. As a mentor she taught me many things to help me with my career. She taught many students from all over Michigan important life skills. Members from the Pickford chapter remember her as a great teacher and abvisor. Myself I will never forget her and the friendship we shared!
Lynn Crow-Smith
July 6, 2020
What a great teacher and mentor. She stepped up to be out class advisor our Senior year as Norm Mathison was ill and unable to teach that year (1980). She treated us as if we were her own children. So many life lessons she taught all of us. Being kind and humble to all. She so generously gave of herself and for that we will always be grateful. RIP and know you will be loved and missed always.
Anne M. Hooghart
July 6, 2020
Jean Krahe Schaffer was my teacher for home economics & advanced home ec, and my advisor for FHA, during my 4 years at BHS. She played a significant role in my transformation from a shy, introverted freshman to a competitor in the public speaking event at FHA State Convention, and eventually, FHA chapter president and exchange student to Japan! In her home ec classroom, I practiced making sushi rolls and putting on my yukata for presentations around the KND district. Jean touched many lives and helped us dream big about where were going toand Im forever grateful. There must be a special place in heaven for anyone who could make it through that many all-night Rockathons with that many teenagers! ❤
Terri Vickers-booth
July 6, 2020
Great teacher and mentor to all those she guided in school. You will be missed but we know that Gods promise is true; To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Whether on Earth we are sad but those that trust in the Lord have their home in Heaven with their Lord and Savior. Thank you Jean for being our class advisor and teacher during Home Ec. Thanks for the memories during the class of 1984. We will never forget.
Linda (Hooghart) Kaiser, BHS class of 1987
July 6, 2020
Just the other day, I was telling my daughter about the stuffed unicorn I made in Ms. Shaffer's class. I learned so many practical lessons from her both in class and in FHA. The skills she taught continue to benefit me and my family. Multiply that many times over for all the students whose lives she impacted and it is a great legacy indeed. Well done, Jean!
Clinton C. Crow
July 4, 2020
Many memories of the Home Ec. Room have come flooding back. Whether my homemade pizza dough or sewing a duffle bag, Ms. Shaffer was there to guide, direct, let you misstep, and be there to get you back on the right path. She positively impacted hundreds, including me. R.I.P. Ms. Shaffer.
MARIE WILLOUGHBY
July 4, 2020
Jean was a very special person who gave of herself to a lot of people over many years. Peace and blessings.
Meiko Kawahara
July 4, 2020
Words cannot describe how much I want to thank her.
With her encouragement and support, my life at Brethren High School was great and memorable one. She was such a wonderful and amazing teacher. I enjoyed FHA activities very much.
All my experiences with her made me get to where I am now.
I will really miss her.
She will always be in my heart. I will always cherish the memories that I am privileged to have of her.
Rest in Peace, Ms. Shaffer..
My sincere condolences to her family.
Meiko Kawahara
Bonnie Kenny
July 3, 2020
I believe GOD gives us individuals for a reason in our lives, and Ms. Krahe "Jean" was definitely one of them. Oh the things we were taught and can live by today ... Life skills - to survive our own cooking and not to sew your finger. Friendship with a Smile - shared with you always with her signature 8). Traveling Experiences - FHA Mtgs.Reg.State-National Conventions - wow what Fun! Class of '79 Senior Trip and secrets she kept. Oh and let us not forget her Disney, Hawaii and Elvis excursions! A theme from one of our FHA officer installations said it all for me, "You have Touched Me I have Grown" ... Thank You from the bottom of my heart for everything, Jean, you will be dearly missed. Love and prayers to all who share in this great loss of a wonderful woman! Bonnie Lempke Kenny
Pamela L Monroe
July 3, 2020
Jean as we all called her at KND was a kind caring soul. My children had her for a teacher. She was a nice nonsense kind of woman. I admired her for that. She is at peace now after suffering for s long time. She will be missed. Pamela I Monroe
Stephanie Asiala-Gross
July 3, 2020
Teaching is a legacy and I feel so lucky to be part of hers. She was truly special and instrumental in so many lives. The miles we traveled, the talks we had, the tough stuff she pushed me through, and the experiences she provided...she made a small town seem so big and a public school the survival kit to a state and national stage. She loved Tom Cruise, let us do Rock-a-thons where we brought rocking chairs to her classroom all night long to raise money, loved Tom Cruise, and stayed up with the teenage trends so she could relate. She did this while teaching us what was good and timeless: home economics, confidence, public speaking, and that dressing up for the part is important. I cant even count how many kids she took for their first plane ride. She will be missed. ❤
Jean in 2013
Frieda Wilson
July 2, 2020
Gordon and Ive known Jean since she was in High School! She would be our choir accompanist and play service music at church. After we were married, Gordon wanted to move back to Michigan so I got to know her - what a warm responsible young woman! We moved away for 42 years, and when we returned to Michigan we saw her again in church! Three of us gals sang a trio for her at Munson Hospital - complications from Parkinsons. I was happy and surprised at all of Jeans accomplishments from her obituary! What a caring, intelligent Christian woman! A good example in the community! She will be missed by many!!! Our deepest sympathy for her family at this difficult time! We shall see her again in Heaven!
Rich Beldo
July 1, 2020
Because of Jeanne and my grandma Virginia Beldo I am able to bake and sew. Two skills that are not even taught at school anymore. Thank you both. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jeannes family and friends. Please know the hundreds of students that owe certain skills because of DJS are going to miss her dearly. Rest In Peace. Your student and friend Rich Beldo
Jeanne Lenz
July 1, 2020
You have my deepest thoughts, prayers and sympathy at this time.
Amy Kiefer (DeLater)
July 1, 2020
I always had a fun time in her class and in FHA. Amazing woman and loved by all.
Amber Witt
July 1, 2020
You left so many fond memories with all of throughout the years. Rest In Peace Ms. Shaffer. Sending strong prayers to your family and friends.
Paula Sibal
July 1, 2020
Im deeply saddened to hear of Miss Krahes passing, but grateful she is finally free of her failing body. Jeans passion was her students. No one could ever argue that. Her patience was tried by me and my classmates in the class of 75 more times than I can count, but I cant recall her ever losing it with us, even though it would have definitely been deserved. I have the no-bake cookie recipe committed to memory from all the times should would let us come in and whip up a batch. I will always remember her scolding me for racing over pins in sewing class. She was one of those teachers who truly made a difference and I wish there were many more like her. Travel well on the rainbow road, Jean. Im blessed to have known you and look forward to meeting you again one day.
Kristy Haff (Schumaker)
July 1, 2020
What a patient and kind woman she was. One that taught me so many things that I still use to this day! I have frequent requests for the cookies she taught me to make in home economics (I just made some last week). She was so patient with all of us in FHA. I do not know how she took such large groups of teenagers around the US and kept her sanity. It takes a special person to find enjoyment amongst all the chaos. She was amazing! I was blessed to know her and haved for a teacher and advisor
Marcine Elder
July 1, 2020
I first met Jean in Orlando, FL in the summer of 1994. Her student Holli and my son had just been elected as National FHA officers. From that time forward until 2003, I saw her every summer to catch up on the past year's happenings at the National FHA/FCCLA Mtgs. I have such great memories of the tours she planned for the National Officer Advisers there in Washington, DC in 1995. Her long letters in our round robin kept us all updated on her yearly travels. She and I were often roommates at FHA meetings, and she was even my secret pal for a whole year, and I never guessed it was her. I still drink coffee from the mug she gave me and wind up my cherished Christmas music box during the holidays. This is my way of holding my dear friend close to my heart. May to rest in peace dear one!
sarah knudsen
July 1, 2020
Mrs. Shaffer was a great teacher n mentor. Learned alot of life skills from her. Very nice n sweet to everyone. She definitely will be missed. Hugs n prayers to you all.
Sarah (Miller) Knudsen
R.I.P. Jean. We thank you from the bottom of our e for always being you! <br /> When we laughed, you smiled. When we fell, you picked us up. You taught us the importance of what true Friendship means.<br /> The Class of 79 will morn your los
Michele Weaver
July 1, 2020
Gracie Weiss (George)
July 1, 2020
There are no words to describe the impact she had on my life. I loved her and will carry her memory with me for my lifetime. Many sympathies to her family.
Melody Spoor
July 1, 2020
She was an amazing teacher and advisor. I learned many life lessons from her, but I learned kindness most of all. Rest In Peace and Love.
Kristie (Zdebski) Stumbrie
July 1, 2020
One of my greatest teachers that I will never forget. She made Home Ec and FHA so much fun along with helping me build important life skills. My sincere condolences to her family.
Lynn Shepard
July 1, 2020
This wonderful lady helped inspire me to sew. I wasnt very good at it but she always encouraged.
Deb Crandell
July 1, 2020
She was definitely dedicated to her students and an inspiration to her colleagues. She will be missed.
Teri Lott
July 1, 2020
She was sure loved by me in school, and out of school ,in all her classes and all our FHA conventions and offices etc , she kept us all going, encouraging to all of us , Regional and State Conventions for FHA the best we had so much fun and learned a lot, I will always treasure all I learned from her, and dont forget her love for Elvis, taught us seeing,cooking, cake decorating so many things , I graduated in 77
Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results
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