Selma Ann "Punky" Schaefer

Selma “Punky” Schaefer (nee Rolf) passed peacefully with her daughter, Cheryl Schaefer, by her side on February 11, 2023, at the age of 90. Punky was born August 1, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri. Punky is survived by Cheryl Schaefer and her son, Edward “Eddy” Schaefer, who lives in Dallas, Texas, and was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Schaefer, who passed away in 2011.

Punky got her nickname as an infant. Her father said she had a round face like a pumpkin and that turned into Punky. She has been known lovingly by that nickname her entire life. Punky’s father, Henry, was a painter and wallpaper hanger and her mother, Isabel, was a housewife. Punky attended Beaumont High School and graduated in 1951.

Punky met Ed at the Rio Theatre where Ed worked at the concession stand (he would give her free popcorn!) Ed and Punky both grew up in Walnut Park in North St. Louis two blocks apart. Punky and Ed Schaefer were married on August 23, 1951. Ed worked as a salesman at Central States Diversified Paper and Bag Company and Punky worked at a bank. Most of her life she was a homemaker and raised their two children. Punky and Ed moved to Kansas City in 1957, after living in Vermont while Ed was in the Air Force Reserves. They lived in Kansas City, Missouri for 58 years. Punky moved back to St. Louis in 2018 to be close to her daughter.

Punky and Ed enjoyed traveling all over the world, especially to Europe and tropical islands. Punky is an avid sports fan and loves the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, and especially the Kansas City Chiefs, giving this year’s super bowl victory a day after her passing a special significance, Go Chiefs! Punky was also an avid bowler, bowling with the same group of ladies for 40 years. She and Ed were active members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raytown, MO. The family would like to send a special sentiment of gratitude to McKnight Place Memory Care for the excellent care and support Punky received in the last three years of her life.

A visitation, service, and repast honoring Punky will be on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Floral Hills Funeral Home (7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO, 64133). The visitation will be from 9-10am, followed by the service from 10-11am, and lunch will be immediately after at the same venue.

Because of the excellent care that Punky received in the last month of her life, the family requests that In lieu of flowers, you consider a donation to BJC Hospice in honor of Punky. To donate, visit bjchospice.org/donate or mail your donation to:

BJC Foundation for Hospice

P.O. Box 790369

St. Louis, MO. 63179-9917