Joyce Arlene Schafer

Joyce Arlene Schafer, 91, died peacefully at Touchmark Care Center in Meridian, Idaho on February 19, 2018. She was born January 24, 1927 in Pepin, Wisconsin; daughter of Win and Ruth (Jahnke) Marcks. Joyce grew up on the family farm with five brothers and five sisters. Following high school, she worked at the Pentagon as a secretary. After World War II, she returned to Madison, Wisconsin to attend the University of Wisconsin where she met John “Jack” Schafer on a blind date. They were married August 16, 1947 and had three children. They lived in many different states including Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Washington, Maryland, Minnesota, and California.

Joyce was a wonderful homemaker. She enjoyed crafts, reading, sewing, and bird watching. She was a Girl Scout leader and active in the League of Women Voters. During retirement, Joyce and Jack spent their time traveling to many different countries throughout the world and visiting family. They moved to California in 1994 to be closer to their four granddaughters. Joyce always had a smile on her face and was known for her wonderful laugh.

Joyce is survived by two children, Patricia (Walter) South and James (Andrea) Schafer; four granddaughters, Claire (Anthony) Lyons, Ruth (Chad) Kmiecik, Marsha Schafer, and Amanda Schafer; three great grandchildren, Josiah Kmiecik, Anthony Lyons, and Lily Lyons; three siblings, Bernard Marcks, James Marcks, and Phyllis Seyffer. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Schafer; daughter, Janice (Philip) Hines; siblings, Raymond Marcks, Ronald Marcks, Robert Marcks, Joan Glaus, Virginia Hetrick, Carole Pittman, and Lois Jensen.

Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Pepin, Wisconsin. A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at a later date in Pepin. Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel of Payette, Idaho is serving the family. Condolences may be made online to Joyce’s family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.