Etta Belle Schafer

February 17, 1939 to September 30, 2024

Etta was born to Roy E. Cooper and Edith M. Cooper on February 17th, 1939 in New Salem, North Dakota. She married Robert “Bob” George Schafer on August 28th, 1957 in Salem, Oregon.

Etta and Bob were married 60 years until Bob’s passing in 2019.

They had four children: Bobbi Schafer-Burton, Douglas Schafer, Tina Lynn Schafer, and James Schafer (deceased December 2022).

In addition to her three children, she is survived by her daughter-in-law Tina M. Schafer, brothers and sisters-in-law Gary & Jean Braden and Fred & Barbara Schafer.

Etta had a large family that she loved dearly, including six grandchildren: Tony Burton, Dara Schafer, Mia White, Jenni Burton, Bethany McLain, and Samantha Ladeby.

Etta also has fourteen great-grandchildren: Luna, Jeffrey, Audrey, Josiah, Jessica, Arwyn, Madeleine, Jasmine, Olivia, Jordan, Sophia, Alric, Hunter, and Penelope. She also has two great-great grandsons: Ares and Yggy.

After working more than thirty-five years for the State of Oregon, Etta retired in 1996. Most of her career was with the Oregon Dept. of Revenue. While there she contributed to numerous agency initiatives including adopting systematic improvements to modernize and implement new computing technology changes over many years, and making filing instructions simpler and tax filings easier and faster to complete. She also continued long friendships with many of her former colleagues.

After retirement she enjoyed many camping, fishing, and flea market trips alongside her husband. She was a regular addition to a local circle of hobbyist wood carvers & painters. She also hosted holidays, reunions, and various family functions every month of the year.

She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and neighbors, and will be remembered for her selfless hospitality & generous spirit.

A memorial service will be held at Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors on October 19, 2024 at 2:00pm.

Please join us for the memorial service with the following link.

https://tinyurl.com/ettaschafer