Darlene Schaefer

Darlene Schaefer 1941 – 2025 - age 84
Known to many as "Ma", Darlene passed away surrounded by loved ones at St Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN on February 20, 2025, after a well lived life full of more ups, than downs, and a lot of love.
Darlene Karen Scholl was born near Rockwell, Iowa on January 19, 1941 to Walter and Evelyn (Malek) Scholl. She grew up on farms in rural Mitchell County, IA. Darlene loved helping her Dad around the farm and interacting with the animals. She eventually met her future husband Thomas "Tommy" Schaefer at a local dance. They were wed on October 22, 1960. Darlene and Tommy worked the family farm raising cows, hogs and chickens, along with their three children.
After the children grew up and left home, she worked at various local eating establishments including: The Rusty Rail in Taopi, The Windmill in Dexter and Travel Lanes in LeRoy. Darlene was known as a hard worker with plenty to say!
Together they had three children: Sheila (Tom) Flaherty of Adams, MN, Renae (Tim) Cody of Stewartville, MN and Larry (Elizabeth) Schaefer of Manassas, VA.
Seven grandchildren: Sean Flaherty, Lycus Flaherty, Lyndsey Davis, Kati (John) Cavanaugh, Cory Cody, Steven (Kristen Pyle) Schaefer and Daniel (Jaylin) Schaefer.
Ten great-grandchildren: Rae and Emily Davis; Paisley, Preston and Nettie Cavanaugh; Jace, Jostin and Aurora Cody; Desmond and Miriam Schaefer.
She is survived by all of her offspring and her sister Sandra Frances (Scholl) Foster of Carrolton, TX and brother in-law Mike Schaefer of McIntire.
She was preceded in death by her husband Tommy and her parents Walter and Evelyn Scholl.