David Schafer died Tuesday, Jan.11, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He married Geraldine Blackwood on July 23, 1985. They raised their family of six children on the farm. David was a longtime dairy farmer but also worked a number of supplementary jobs as well.

David was born on May 11, 1944, to Emanuel and Erma Schafer in Kalamazoo. David lived the majority of his life on the family farm outside of Hopkins and graduated from Hopkins High School.

David enjoyed the outdoors and raising animals. He also enjoyed woodworking when time allowed for it. He had a wide-ranging skill set that included everything from cooking to welding.

David was a lifelong learner who loved to read. He especially loved time in God’s Word which he regarded as of utmost importance. For the majority of his life, he was a member at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hopkins.

David is survived by his wife, Geraldine, and a sister Julia (Harold) Boylan. He is further survived by his children: Jerry Foote, Newlin (Emily) Schafer, Elyshia (Nate) Hoekstra, Kandi (Marco) Rosales, Emanuel (Colette) Schafer, and Jade Schafer. He is also survived by grandchildren, Judah, Hank, Boaz, Cora, Lea, Lily, Isabell, Amelia, Ben, Lincoln, Evelyn. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Finally, he is survived by his church family at St. Paul.

David’s Christian funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan 15, 2022 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 2907 24th St. Hopkins, Pastor Don Seelhoff presiding. A visitation will precede the funeral from 10 to 11 a.m.