Alex James Schaffer

Alex James Schaffer, 82, of Alexandria, Minnesota died April 5, 2016 from cancer. Alex was born March 30, 1934 in Fort Rice, North Dakota to Paul Schaffer and Rose Kary Schaffer, the first of 9 children. He graduated from high school in Napoleon, North Dakota, just down the road from Lawrence Welk’s hometown. Wedding dances were a main form of entertainment, and he retained a life-long joy in dancing, especially the North Dakota hop polka. Alex served in the army from 1954-1956 and was selected for electronics school, which changed his life. He went on to work at Northwestern Bell for 34 years, first as a lineman and later in management. He had a second successful career with RCC/Cellular 2000, building the cellular network in northern Minnesota. After retirement, he began wintering in Arizona where he enjoyed golfing and socializing with a wide group of friends at Sundance and Fairways resorts in Casa Grande. Other interests include hunting, bird-watching, music, and food! In 1956, Alex met Mary Ellen McGuire at his uncle George’s bowling alley in Little Falls, Minnesota. They married and raised 5 kids. He was heartbroken at her untimely passing from cancer in 2005. In 2010 he married Esther Ropert, whom he met and fell in love with in Casa Grande. Survived by wife Esther; children: Karen Schaffer (Michael Ward), Stephanie (Greg) Cary, Charles (Mona) Schaffer, Nancy Aagesen (Dean Ellingboe), Daryl (Janis) Schaffer; step-children: George, Michael, & Matthew (Sarah) Ropert, Esther Halloran; grandchildren: Molly Cary, Kathleen & Alicia Schaffer, Nicole (Lehi) Smith, Christopher Aagesen; step-grandchildren: Amanda (Christopher) Wenisch, Corinne (Andrew) Cooper, Megan Halloran, Cole & Ellison Ropert, Jesse, Tyler (Katie), & Jonathan Ellingboe; seven siblings; numerous step-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews Predeceased by wife Mary Ellen and brother Gerald In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of the Valley- Lund Home, www.hov.org 1982 E. Woodside Ct, Gilbert, AZ 85297. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:00 pm at the Anderson Funeral Home and visitation one hour prior to the service at church on Wednesday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Alex James Schaffer

March 30, 1934 - April 5, 2016