Lawrence John "Larry" Schaff

Lawrence John Schaff was born at Mandan, North Dakota to Frank G. and Caroline (Wetsch) Schaff on Friday, April 9, 1948. Lawrence grew up on the farm north of Solen, North Dakota. Lawrence attended country schools and received his 8th Grade Diploma. He experienced rural electricity coming to the farm and the family's first TV.

With great anguish and heartache, and no medical alternative at that time, his parents needed to take Lawrence to the State Hospital at the age of 16. Lawrence lived at the State Hospital into his 20's. Then he was discharged and thus began a cycle that lasted for decades. He would be set up with an apartment and a job. There was always some program, agency, or social worker who obtained an apartment for Lawrence, found a job, and then he was on his own. This would last only weeks or a few months and Lawrence would be back for a stay at the State Hospital. This cycle continued and each time the reality was that he was being set up for failure. During this period, he lived in many apartments and home settings in Fargo, Jamestown, Washburn, and Bismarck. Eventually he moved to Grand Forks where he lived at the City Mission for a few years. Throughout all this, he became known as Larry. Years later, he pointed out a Fargo theater where he used to work as a janitor. When asked if he liked working there, he said no. He didn't like when "careless people would dump their popcorn and spill their pop, and expect people like me to clean it up".

In Grand Forks, Larry became part of Prairie Harvest's new lodge concept. The lodge setting was a group of men living independently at their house, yet there was guidance, and supervision of their responsibilities, a structured setting for events, appointments, and transportation to their jobs. Larry absolutely thrived! He held his job for years and was very happy to have his own place. Liking cats, he cared for Bobbie for many years. He was a model client for the lodge concept. One year, Prairie Harvest asked Larry to participate on the client Q&A panel at their conference to share his success story.

When Larry aged-out of their program, he moved to a group home. It was not a good fit, but Larry made the best of it. Shortly after, Larry had some health needs for which the group home was not licensed. He moved into Tufte Manor at their basic care level. Larry was hesitant, as he was younger than most and was not ready to "move into a nursing home with a bunch of old bitties". Larry was welcomed there and settled in comfortably developing his own routine. He made life-long friends with staff. His constant teasing made each day interesting for residents and staff. After 11 years, it was time to move to a skilled nursing home.

Needing that care, his family wanted him to be closer so they found Good Samaritan Home in Miller, South Dakota. Larry was very happy for this move, and welcomed frequent family visits. Again, he made many friendships with his special style of humor and was very content with his own routine. Everyone knew when you met Larry, be ready for a tease that would always end with his famous line, "I like to tease you".

One of Larry's annual highlights was Al taking him out on the town for his birthday. Larry was very happy when Doris married. He welcomed Lance with pride as his brother-in-law. Larry was so happy when his niece, Caroline, was born. He would tease her with the same remarks he had said when Doris was growing up. It has been an absolute blessing for all that Larry has been able to see Caroline grow up. They brought each other much joy.

Larry passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Healthcare Center in Miller, SD at the age of 77 years.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers: Ed, Al, and Gene. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Lance Ekberg, Hamill, SD; and niece, Caroline Ekberg, Hamill, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial for Lawrence "Larry" Schaff, age 77, of Miller, SD, formerly of North Dakota will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Christ The King Catholic Church in Mandan, ND. With visitation starting at 10 AM. Burial will follow in the Mandan Union Cemetery, Mandan, ND. There will be a Wake Tuesday January 20, 2026 from 3-7PM at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home, Gregory, SD with a prayer service at 4 PM. Larry is the brother of Doris Ekberg of Hamill, SD.