Dora Blanche Schaefer

Former Luskite Blanche Schaefer died Tuesday

Blanche Schaefer, 70, a former Lusk resident and businesswoman, died Tuesday in Albuquerque, N.M.

She formerly helped operate the Lusk Livestock barn with her father the late Jim Christian.

Mrs. Schaefer had been seriously ill for the past month.

Survivors include four children, Marjorie Sanders of Lusk, Evelyn Neil of Albuquerque, Jay Schaefer of Laramie and Gwen Briggs of Rock Springs.

Mrs. Schaefer's funeral will be in Lusk although the arrangements are not yet finalized. An obituary will appear in next week's Herald.

The Lusk Herald
February 16, 1978

Blanche Schaefer, 70, was buried Saturday

The funeral for Blanche Schaefer, 70, who died last week in Albuquerque, N.M., was Saturday at the Peet Mortuary Chapel in Lusk.

Blanche was born Feb. 6, 1908 in Kirtley, which at the time was in Converse County. She was the first of eight children born to James and Nellie Christian. Her education included attendance at the University of Wyoming and Chadron State Teachers College. Blanche then taught school at Indian Creek and Hat Creek.

She married Lloyd F. Schaefer July 17, 1933.

Mrs. Schaefer helped her father, the late Jim Christian, operate the Lusk Livestock Barn. In 1950 Blanche and Lloyd moved to the dairy north of Lusk, on the land now owned by Dr. Huitt, where they developed one of the first Grade A dairies in Wyoming.

She was involved in many activities including the county and state Republican Party. She served as president of the Niobrara County Republican Women's Association, and in 1956 she served as a delegate to the National Convention.

In 1950 Blanche was elected to the first county school board following consolidation of the county into one school district. She served two terms as a member and treasurer.

After her husband's death, she became a Wyoming Farm Bureau Life Insurance agent and rapidly developed into one of Wyoming's top agents. She continued her work as an agent after selling the dairy and moving into Lusk. Blanche purchased and operated the Dairy Bar, but continued her involvement in the Business and Professional Women, Eastern Star, the chamber of commerce and the DAR.

Because of failing health, Blanche sold her businesses in Lusk and moved to Cheyenne; however, she still maintained an active interest in Niobrara County. She was employed for several years at the Laramie County Public Library.

She is survived by her mother, Nellie C. Christian; four children, Marjorie Sanders of Lusk, Evelyn Neil of Albuquerque, Jay Dee Schaefer of Laramie and Gwen Briggs of Rock Springs; five grandchildren, one sister, Edith Culver of Lusk; three brothers, George and Bruce of Salt Lake City and Charles.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her father, one sister, Evelyn Knori, two brothers, John and Frank and two grandchildren.

A memorial is being established at the Niobrara County Nursing Home.

As one prominent rancher in the county said upon hearing of her death: "This lady forgot more about the cow business than most of us will ever know."

The Rev. Frank Blish presided at the funeral. The organist was Jane Bardo and the soloist Mark Lohr. The songs were "I Won't Have to Cross Jordan Alone" and "How Great Thou Art."

Pallbearers were Richard Lenz, Kenneth Freeman, Gene Lenz, Ernest Hansen, Jerome Kane and Everett Kilmer.

Honorary pallbearers were Roscoe Kilmer, Ray Freeman, Venus Kilmer, W.T. Bredthauer, Robert Stevens and Andrew McMaster.

Memorials may be sent ot the Niobrara County Memorial Hospital.

Burial was at the Lusk Cemetery.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records