Jerry L. Shaffer

Jerry Lee Shaffer, 83, of Mankato, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026 surrounded by his family at Brodstone Memorial Hospital in Superior, Nebraska. He was born on July 8, 1942 to Alfred and Ruby (Davidson) Shaffer in Republic, KS.

He attended country school and then Concordia High School, Class of 1961. He started his career with the light company in 1964 for Western Light & Telephone as a tree trimer. In 2005 after 41 years of service, he retired as manager of the Great Bend, Ellsworth, Ness City area for WestPlains Energy.

He married Judy Richard on June 16, 1962, in Concordia, Kansas. They had two children, Bryan and Janell.

Over the years they lived in Concordia, Jewell, Smith Center, Great Bend, and Mankato, Kansas. He enjoyed camping, golfing and family time at the farm. But his greatest joy came in being Grandpa and being called Papa Jerry.

When Bryan and Janell were growing up, he coached their team sports, taught their friends to water ski, and volunteered at the fire department in Jewell. During retirement, it gave him the opportunity to support the grandkids and great-grandkids in their many sporting activities.

They traveled to Texas for 15 years. He loved his time in Sinton as a winter Texan. Golfing daily with his new Texas family, and his time spent on International water cruises. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Shaffer and Ruby Ward, brother Dennis Shaffer, sisters Anita Shaffer Lickteig and Jeanie Robbins Bigby, and brothers-in-law Gary Richard and John Fiarkoski.

He will be missed dearly by his wife Judy Shaffer; children Bryan Shaffer (Gayle) of Valley View, TX, and Janell Shelton (Kyle Rutt) of Minden, NE; grandchildren Kylea Strasburg (Nathan) and their children Barrett, Beighlor, and Breckyn of Minden, NE, Paige Chaffin (Jesse) and their daughter Eden of Aubrey, TX, Chase Shelton (Taylor) and their children Kasen and Brielle of Minden, NE, Trevor Shaffer of Valley View, TX, Whitney Cain (Chase) and their children Crew, Collyns, and Cambyl of Muenster, TX, and Shelby Ward of Valley View, TX; siblings Marietta Fiarkoski of Council Bluffs, IA, Melanie Robbins Schille of McKinney, TX, Johneale Robbins Donnell of Plano, TX, Carmen Ward Ghabin of Plano, TX, Alfreda Shaffer Maley of Concordia, KS; sister-in-law Bonna Richard of Fairbury, NE; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with Celebrant Samantha Stensaas officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Concordia, KS. The family will then gather at the Jewell Community Center in Jewell, KS for continued fellowship and a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Jewell Volunteer Fire Department in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, P.O. Box 606, Concordia, KS