Lois E. Shaffer

To watch Lois's service, please click the link below to be taken to the church YouTube page:

Lois Shaffer Funeral Stream

Lois Estelle Shaffer was born to Louie and Estelle (Lester) Bush on July 15, 1945 in Miami Beach, FL. After her father served in WWII, the family returned to the Ellsworth area, where they continued farming. Lois graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1963, earning the salutatorian title. She moved to Sioux Falls to attend Nettleton College and went on to work as an executive secretary at an electrical supply company. It was during this time in Sioux Falls that she met Sterling. They had a whirlwind romance that began with their mutual love for dancing, meeting in March 1968 and married September 14 of that same year. For the next 7 years they made Sioux Falls their home, and welcomed their son Richard in 1970. 

In 1975 they moved to Beaver Creek, Minnesota and welcomed their daughter Julie in 1976. Shortly after, Lois was asked by a neighbor if she would watch their child and, being the kind person that she was, she agreed. Soon after, she started caring for another neighbor’s child, and then another, and it wasn’t long before Lois Shaffer was the daycare lady in town. She went on to do daycare for 40 plus years, caring for multiple generations of kids in the town of Beaver Creek. We would often joke that she had probably changed the diapers of most of the people that lived in her small town. Her daycare children loved her and her amazing cooking. In retirement, Lois continued to work with children as a para at the Beaver Creek Elementary School. 

Lois loved the outdoors and loved to travel. She and Sterling went on many adventures with her brother Bob and wife Jean, making many memories along the way. Later in life, one of her favorite places to visit was to her son’s cabin in Voyageurs National Park. She would barely be home from a visit there and would begin talking about when she could go again. She loved any and all games, often showing her competitive spirit by playing for hours until she won. She also loved crosswords, puzzles, a good book, and spending time with dear friends. She had a love/hate relationship with the Minnesota Vikings but would never miss a game. She always looked forward to game day and those close to her knew that you best not call or interrupt her during the game! Most of all, Lois loved her family and loved spending time with them, even if it was just chatting on the phone or exchanging texts about how bad the Vikings played. She adored her grandchildren and truly lived up to the saying “If mom says no, ask grandma”. In recent years she enjoyed having five great-grandchildren and was always excited when she would get a new picture or any kind of update on the fun things the kids were doing or saying. 

Lois was strong in her faith and in her devotion to those she cared about. Through her life’s ups and downs she remained strong and always cared for others before herself. She was determined to live life to the fullest and she cherished every special moment. She was loved by many and will be missed more than words could ever describe.

Lois is survived by her husband of 55 years, Sterling; children, Richard (Karen) and Julie (Wade); grandchildren, Amber (Andy), April (Shawn), Miranda, Memphis, Mavrick, and Mercedes; great-grandchildren, Kailey, Travis, Jack, Emilia, and Otto; brother, Robert (Jean); nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  She was preceded in death by parents, Louie and Estelle Bush; and brother, James.

A visitation will be Thursday, December 21 from 11:30 – 1:00 PM at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Luverne.  A funeral service will follow the visitation at the church beginning at 1:00 PM.  A burial will be on Friday, December 22 at 1:30 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Any guests who would like to attend the burial should meet at Klecatsky and Sons Funeral Home, 1580 Century Point in Eagan, Minnesota at 12:30 PM to leave for the procession to the cemetery.