Marilyn Jean Schaefer

Marilyn Jean (Thode) Schaefer, 82, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away at Mayo Clinic Hospital – St Marys Campus of Rochester, Minnesota, on Sunday, January 12, 2020.  She was born November 5, 1937, in Cedar Falls, daughter of Einer and Marian (Corfe) Thode.  Marilyn graduated from Cedar Falls High School with the Class of 1956 and attended American Institute of Business in Des Moines.  She was married to Donald P. Schaefer on January 4, 1960, at St. John's Catholic Church of Waterloo, and he preceded her in death in 1979.  Marilyn worked for Rath Packing in their Business Operations, dispensed samples in grocery stores, provided daycare out of her home and, then, worked for Control-O-Fax for 26 years in their Collections Department until her retirement in 2006.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; her brother, Frederick Thode; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in law.  She is survived by her children:  Michelle (Mark) Albert of Waterloo, Michon (David) Weeks of Northfield, MN and Mark (Debra) Schaefer of Oconomowoc, WI; 7 grandchildren:  Isaac (Jill Suurmeyer) Weeks, Peter (Elizabeth) Weeks, Christian (Mollie) Weeks, Rachel (Robin) Yim, Ross Albert, Emma Schaefer and Elleri Schaefer; 1 great-granddaughter, Samantha with another great-grandchild on the way; and many other beloved family members and friends.

Funeral Service for Marilyn will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cedar Falls with burial to follow at St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Eagle Center to follow.  Visitation will be held from 4-6:00 pm on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home of Cedar Falls and one hour prior to services on Thursday.  Memorials may be directed to Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church and/or the Museum of Danish America of Elk Horn, Iowa.

Marilyn was an independent woman who travelled and had a passion for gardening, both vegetables and flowers.  She enjoyed baking, candy making, ceramics and sewing.  She loved Cedar Falls from Sturgis Falls Days to volunteering at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Art Center.  Marilyn cherished luncheon outings with her friends from high school, but above all she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.