Jeanette Schafer

Jeanette Ellen (Thayer) Schafer, 83, of St. Charles, passed away on her birthday, Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

She was born in Iowa City, IA, to Clarence and Elizabeth Thayer, as the youngest of 12 children. She grew up in Decorah, IA, where she graduated from Decorah High School. After graduation, she moved to Rochester, MN, where she worked odd jobs until landing at Methodist Hospital working on the neurology floor.

In 1964, Jeanette met Marvin Schafer at Easter and dated until they were married March 25, 1967, in Decorah. They welcomed 2 children, Troy and Dawn, over the next few years, and she eventually decided to leave Methodist Hospital to raise their growing family.

In 1974, Marvin & Jeanette moved to St. Charles, and the following year, welcomed the last of their 3 children, Teri. Jeanette went to work after the kids were all in school, at the nursing home in St. Charles, until her retirement in 2009. After some well-deserved time off working on her poetry and embroidery, Jeanette volunteered at the Hometown Resource Center for a few years until deciding to spend more time with family.

Jeanette is survived by her children Troy Schafer (Beth Clark), Dawn (Britt Sr.) Olson, and Teri (Eugene) Bronk; grandchildren Britt Olson Jr (Amanda Ryan), Samuel (Ashley) Olson, Kolby Olson (Jolee Harris), Todd Olson (Kylee Smith), Savannah Bronk, Zane Bronk, Liam Bruder, Nick Bruder; 2 great grandchildren to come in 2026; sisters Marian Anderson, Helen Miller, brother Dale (Nora) Thayer, sister-in-law Kris Thayer; many nieces & nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Marvin, many siblings and their spouses along with Marvin’s siblings and their spouses.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 11 AM to 1 PM at Hoff Funeral Home in St. Charles. Following the visitation, a memorial service will be held at 1 PM. Jeanette will be laid to rest at Saratoga Cemetery.