Thomas L. Schafer

Thomas L. Schafer “the Hilltop Farmer”, 84, Mandan, died July 13, 2018, at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, July 17, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 108 3rd St NE, Mandan, with Rev. Dennis Schafer officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Monday, July 16, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a KC Rosary and vigil service will begin at 7:00 pm. Thomas was born October 30, 1933, in Flasher, ND, the son of Louis and Matilda (Hopfauf) Schafer. He attended school in Flasher. Thomas married Angelita A. Koch on July 19, 1955, in Flasher and to this union, ten children were born. He enjoyed farming, playing cards, bowling, visits from his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Thomas was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree and Eagles Club. Thomas is survived by his wife, Angelita, Mandan; his children, Janet (Brad) Riehl, Gary Schafer, Becky (Jeff) Van Beek, all of Bismarck; Wayne (Norleen) Schafer, Flasher, Floyd (Betty) Schafer, Rapid City, SD, Darrell (Kolleen) Schafer, Menoken, Calvin (LeEtta) Schafer, Bismarck, Ray (Pam) Schafer, Mandan, Norman Schafer and Angelita Wagner, both of Bismarck; his sisters, Maggie Fleck, Helen Helbling, and Rose Storelli; his brother, Frank; 31 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses, Julie and Leo Beckler, John Fleck, Joe Storelli, Bertha and Harold Paul, Ann and Casper Scholl, Ed and Gloria Schafer, Tony Schafer; one infant brother; his parents, Louis and Matilda; infant grandson, Floyd Schafer Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Shirley Schafer.