HELEN DOROTHY SCHAEFER
Helen loved her family, cooking, baking and bargain hunting, maybe not always in that order! Helen loved the Lord with all her heart, first and foremost.
Helen Dorothy Schaefer was called home to heaven, on 3/3/2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 6th, 1929, in Syracuse, New York to Jozef and Ewa (Pisarek) Augustyn. She lived in Syracuse most of her young life and attended church at Sacred Heart Basilica. Helen is now joined in heaven with her family, Husband Bill, loving Daughter Brenda. Brothers, Joseph and Matthew, Sisters, Ann, and Rose, who have all since passed. Helen graduated from Central High School, in 1947, and was married shortly afterwards. During that time, she held several jobs, New York Telephone, Upstate Distributors, Kelsey Paint Company, Morris Bernstein and finally Hygrade Meat Company. Helen met the love of her life, Ernst “Bill” Schaefer at Hygrade Meats. Helen and Bill were married in August of 1963, they stayed in New York for a few years, before Bill was transferred to Richmond, Virginia.
That was short lived as work again had them move to Chicago, Illinois. They never really established roots as they again moved to Rochester, then back to Syracuse, New York. The roots really didn’t take hold until 1974, when Bill accepted a position at Herrud Meat Co., here in G.R. They moved to Cascade for a few years and ultimately built their dream home on Bailey Lake in Lowell. Helen worked for United Airlines, here in G.R., and received many honors for her attitude and work ethic. Helen and Bill bought the building at 214 E. Main St. and opened The Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppes, specializing in consignments. Helen and Bill moved to Emporia, Kansas for several years too! There may not have been roots established in prior moves, but the friends that they made along the way were many. Helen loved her family, cooking, baking and bargain hunting, maybe not always in that order! Helen loved the Lord with all her heart, first and foremost.
She enjoyed church activities, hymn sings and any type of fellowship, especially if she could make a special dessert. Helen leaves behind to carry on her legacy of love and laughter, sons Bill (Jodi), Patrick (Toni), and Billy (Diane) Schaefer; daughters, Lynn (Bob) Knittel, and Ursula Shufelt; grandchildren, Cliff (Marcela) Knittel, Michael (Ashley) Shufelt, Brandi (Rick) Berta, Jordan (Ashley) Schaefer, Dan Shufelt, Jami (Tyler) Berger, Ryan (Julia) Schaefer, Brady, Joey, Jasen (Elli) and Amiya Schaefer; great grandchildren, Jackson. Carson, Ellison, Maddison Berta, Nixon and Navy Schaefer, Hannah and Jake Shufelt, Kit and Ivan Schaefer and Blake Berger. Helen, the family Matriarch, leaves behind many Nieces and Nephews that loved her so much, as well as close friends Arlene and Ken Walski of Grand Rapids and Gale Langley of Kansas. Helen would call Lowell home and lived in several homes there. She lived on her own, with help from Janis Kelly and several church friends, at Schneider Manor, before moving to Maple Ridge Manor last year in assisted living. She made friends there and was Grandma Helen to the amazing Staff too! Many thanks to them, also to U of M Hospital, and the loving care from Gentiva Hospice. Celebration of Life will be at Grace Immanuel Church, located at 860 Peachcrest Ct, Grand Rapids, MI., on Friday, March 8th, visitation at 10:00 am, Service at 11:00 with Pastor David Merck officiating. There will be a luncheon immediately following. Graveside Service at Oakwood Cemetery, in Lowell, at 2:00 pm. Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Immanuel Church.
