Joan Margaret Schaefer

June 27, 1923 – May 2, 2016

Gretna, NE: Died peacefully at SilverRidge Memory Center in the loving arms of her family. Born in Raymond, IA to George Wingert and Lioba Kraut Wingert. She graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School class of 1940 in Waterloo, IA. After high school, she worked in Washington D.C. for the government in Foreign Economics Administration during WWII till the end of the war when she married her husband of 64 years Melvin C. Schaefer. After raising her 6 children, in 1972 she returned to work with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in Omaha, NE till her retirement in 1988. She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin C. Schaefer, brothers Chuck Wingert, Paul Wingert, John Wingert, sister Mary Schmitt, grandson Adam Keefer and granddaughter Megan Marie Schrink. She is survived by her 6 children sons: Kenneth and Sally Schaefer, Middleton, WI and Jerry and Paula Schaefer, Gretna, NE, daughters: Jolene and Joel Keefer, Fredericksburg, TX, Barbara and Tony Ciullo, Encinitas, CA, Joanne Nalls, San Tan Valley, AZ, and Melanie and Rob Schrink, Tyler, TX, sisters Sr. Mona Wingert, OSF, Dubuque, IA, Sr. Jolene Wingert, OSF, Dubuque, IA, 10 Grandchildren, 5 Great Grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

SERVICES Friday May 13th 10am St. Columbkille Catholic Church, Interment Cedar Dale Cemetery. VISITATION Thursday May 12th 1-7pm, with rosary at 6pm. Family will receive friends 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers Memorials to St. Vincent DePaul or St. Columbkille Church.