Kenneth Schaefer

COLUMBUS - Kenneth E. Schaefer, 82, of Columbus, died Monday, March 16, 2015, at Edgewood Vista in Columbus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus with military honors conducted by the American Legion Hartman Post 84 Honor Guard. Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at the church with a 7:30 p.m. vigil. Visitation will continue from 9-10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Interment will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Kenneth E. Schaefer was born April 19, 1932, in Lindsay to Joseph and Mary (Schmitt) Schaefer. He grew up in Lindsay where he received his early education at Lindsay Holy Family. He graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in Columbus in 1951. He served in the United States Army from 1952-1954. On Aug. 4, 1952, he married Gloria Nosal at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus. He was employed at Brazeal Furniture where he worked in sales and flooring installation from 1944-55. Then he entered into a partnership with Bob Berlin and started B-K Floor Crafters in 1955. In the early 1960s, Ken and Gloria became sole owners. Ken retired in 2012 after 57 dedicated years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, traveling and raising and training horses and hunting dogs. He was a 4-H leader and Eagle Scout. Ken enjoyed life with his family including his wife Gloria of 62 years and his eight children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He spent many summers at their cabin near Schuyler entertaining family and friends. He was a proud member of the Maximus afternoon card club.

Kenneth was a member of the Eagles Club, Wayside Country Club, Elks Country Club, lifetime member of VFW, American Legion, Quarter Horse Association, Chamber of Commerce and Isaac Walton Club. He served two terms as a Platte County supervisor and served on the Mental Health Board. He was a past member of St. Bonaventure Church where he served as an usher and on the board of trustees. He was a member of St. Isidore Church and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Schaefer of Columbus; sons, Greg (Kim) Schaefer, Randy Schaefer, Joe Schaefer and Scott (Pamela) Schaefer, all of Columbus; daughters, Cindy (Paul) Canaday and Sandy (Mark) Swope, both of Columbus, and Lisa (Joel) Long of Omaha; daughters-in-law, Sharon Schaefer and Kim Schaefer, both of Columbus; 33 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joan (Bud) Sackett and Mary Jane Fairbanks, both of Columbus, Arlene Preister of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Joyce (Allen) Cooley and Sheri (Bob) Howell, both of Elko, Nevada.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ron; parents, Joseph and Mary; and sisters, Jeannette Maguire, Ethel Riley and Wilma Haferland.

Memorials made to the family will be directed to the Alzheimer's Association or Scotus Central Catholic.

Condolences may be sent to www.mckownfuneralhome.com.