Wilma Schafer

Wilma Coleen Schafer, 84, of Prescott, Iowa, died Sunday, February 27, 2022 at Vintage Park Apartments Assisted Living surrounded by her loving family. Memorial Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2022 at the Prescott United Church Disciples of Christ. Reverend Mary O’Riley will officiate. The family will greet friends during a luncheon in the church fellowship hall following the service. Private burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Prescott at a later date. Her grave will be dug by her family using the post-hole digger and jabber that she and Bill used for so many years on the farm. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Prescott United Church Disciples of Christ or the Prescott Public Library. Memories and condolences can be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

She was born March 21, 1937, to Lowell Christian (Chris) Coleman and Merna Myrtle (Campbell) Coleman near Fontanelle, Iowa. Wilma graduated from Prescott Community High School in 1955 where she participated in cheerleading, chorus, annual and paper staffs, softball, and class plays. After graduating, she worked as a waitress at the Iowana Hotel in Creston until having children.

On August 25, 1956, she was united in marriage to William (Bill) Schafer in the Prescott United Methodist Church in Prescott. Four children blessed this union; Sheila Coleen, Richard (Rick) Dean, Kevin Ray, and Karen Kay. Wilma was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. Beside her Senior picture in the Prescott School Annual was written, “You will know her by her smile and the twinkle in her eye.” That held true throughout her life.

Wilma farmed right along beside Bill as they raised hogs and cattle and grew hay, corn, and soybeans. It was a rare occasion when Wilma and Bill were not side by side. As Bill’s health declined, Wilma cared for him as long as she was able then joined him every day at Corning Specialty Care for lunch to continue looking after him until his death on June 17, 2017.

Wilma belonged to the Prescott United Church, Harmony Circle card club, and Prescott Library Coffee Club. She enjoyed tending flowers, playing cards, reading books, jigsaw puzzles, spending time with family, visiting with friends, and watching her favorite TV shows including Iowa Hawkeye basketball and Kansas Chiefs football.

Wilma is survived by her children, Sheila (Kirk) O’Riley of Lenox, Iowa, Rick (Julie) Schafer of Prescott, Iowa, Kevin (Crystal) Schafer of Prescott, Iowa, and Karen (Dan) Carl of Corning, Iowa. She treasured that all of her children lived within 15 miles of her. She is, also, survived by her grandchildren Clinton (Becky) O’Riley, Jared O’Riley, Wendi (Jason) Boswell, Allison King, Drew Schafer, Bryce (Abbey) Schafer, Cole Ray Schafer, Dray Carl (fiance Allie Rakowski), and Kallyn Carl; 11 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Leatha Archer of Sun City West, Arizona, and Anna (Jim) Kesterson of Boone, Iowa, and a brother-in-law, David Guthmiller of Medford OR; a sister-in-law, Wilma Schafer of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, a step-son, Dennis Green, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Merna and Chris Coleman; husband Bill in 2017; and her father and mother in-law, Roy (Foxy) Schafer and Mildred (Ginn) Schafer; a grandson, Brett William Schafer, 2 sisters, Lulu Brown and Janet Guthmiller, as well as 3 brothers-in-law, Toby Wilbur, Robert (Bob) Schafer and Bill Brown, and 2 sisters-in-law; Lois Ann Swanke and Helen Jo Schafer.