Paul A. Schaefer

Paul Schaefer, age 83, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in Bloomfield, Nebraska.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at Riverview Reformed Church in Yankton. A memorial service will also be held at St. Joseph the Workman Catholic Church in rural Colton, SD at a later date. Burial will take place at St Joseph Huntimer Cemetery in Huntimer, SD.

Paul was born April 14, 1942 in Madison, South Dakota to Lyle and Doris (Roling) Schaefer. He grew up on a farm outside of the Colton and Franklin area and attended grade school in Franklin. Paul graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Dell Rapids, SD and then enlisted in the United States Army. He served from 1963 to 1966 and was stationed overseas for a year. After his honorable discharge, he moved back to South Dakota and joined a threshing crew working in Texas and Canada. On October 30, 1970, Paul married Dorothy “Dot” Terkelsen in Volga, SD. After their marriage, they lived in Chester and Paul worked for Sweetman Construction in Sioux Falls. He obtained his business degree from Dakota State University in Madison, SD in 1972. The family moved to Yankton in 1979 and Paul became the manager of Concrete Materials where he worked until his retirement at age 70.

Paul loved golfing and was a charter member of Crofton Lakeview Golf Course. He also enjoyed spending the winters in Texas with his wife, Dot. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed watching baseball and college basketball. Paul always conducted himself with integrity and was willing to work hard. He loved his family more than anything and always spoke about how important family was.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Dot Schaefer of Yankton; two children: Brad Schaefer of Minneapolis, MN and Shelly Schaefer of Sioux Falls; granddaughter, Olivia Schaefer of Minneapolis; five brothers and sisters: Rita Law of Sioux Falls, Vince (Phyllis) Schaefer of Lake Madison, SD, Joan (Mick) Cramer of Chester, SD, Virgil (Marlys) Schaefer of Colton, SD, and Don (Denise) Schaefer of Sioux Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rose Schaefer; and brother-in-law, Max Law.