Helen Jo Schafer February 9, 1932 – May 4, 2011

  Helen Jo Schafer, daughter of Roy (Foxy) Schafer and Mildred (Ginn) Schafer, was born February 9, 1932 at home near Stringtown, Iowa. Helen graduated from Cromwell high school in 1950. She moved to Mount Ayr the same year and started working at Ruth’s Caf??. She would also work at the Shamrock Caf??. Helen Jo worked 21 years for the local telephone company; beginning in Mount Ayr and later transferring to the office in Chariton, Iowa. Helen Jo retired from Contel Telephone Company in 1987 and moved back to Mount Ayr in 1988.

Helen Jo loved to crochet and was very good at making various items. She crocheted as long as she could ‘work the hook.’ Helen Jo also made dolls and was a very good candy maker.

Helen passed away on May 4, 2011 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert Allen Schafer; sister, Lois Ann Swanke; nephews, Mike, Tom and Ted Moffitt; niece, Judy Smith, and her trusted and beloved dog, Megan.

Survivors include her brother, William Schafer and wife Wilma of Corning, Iowa; sister-in-law, Wilma Schafer of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

A memorial fund has been established in her name to be decided later.

Services were held at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Saturday, May 7, 2011, with Rev. Terry Roberts officiating. Musical selections included ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘In The Garden.’

Casket bearers were Rick Andrews, Ron Franklin, Syd Comer, Randy Andrews, Don Woods, Dan Carl and Kirk O’Riley.

Honorary pallbearers included Steve Moffitt, Kevin Schafer, Duane Schafer, Rick Schafer and Allen Schafer.

Helen was laid at rest in the Stringtown Cemetery in Lenox.