Schaefer, Leonard S. Jan 6, 1928 - Mar 16, 2015 Age 87, known to some relatives as Bud, was born to the late Anna and Nicholas Schaefer and grew up on a farm near Royalton, MN. After graduating from high school, Leonard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946 and served at Guam until being honorably discharged in 1948. He stayed in the Navy Reserve until 1953. He worked on an Iron Ore Freighter sailing on the Great Lakes for 4 years and then worked in the Wyoming oil fields for 6 months. He owned several direct sales businesses. Leonard met LaVern Theresa Gau on a blind date and they were married 6 months later on September 1, 1952 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Little Falls, MN. They were blessed with 8 children and 50 years of marriage. Leonard was a charter member of both St. Pius X Parish and the Benson Optimist Club. In 1964-65, he served as Governor of all Optimist Clubs in Nebraska.

Leonard is preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers, William, Paul, Nicholas, and Frank; sisters, Viola, Jean, Irene, Bernice, Mildred and Laura Mae.

He is survived by his children, Paul (Jerri), Omaha, Bill (MaryAnn), Albuquerque, NM, Margaret (Joe) Hebenstreit, Omaha, Jean (John) Gerd, Anchorage, AK, Nancy, Omaha, Lenny (Jenny), Prattville, AL, Jane, Omaha, Joan (Joe) Sommers, Oregon, WI.; sister-in-law, Marie Maurer, Little Falls, MN.; 27 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

VISITATION begins Friday, March 27, 5pm at the John A. Gentleman Mortuaries, 72nd Street Chapel, 1010 North 72 Street Omaha, NE 68114 with a 7pm Wake Service. FUNERAL Saturday, March 28, 10am, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 6905 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68104. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorials suggested to the Scare Away Cancer (501(c) 3 fund for Kayla Hebenstreit), St. Pius X Parish, or New Cassel Foundation.

JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MORTUARIES 72nd STREET CHAPEL
1010 North 72nd St. 402-391-1664 www.johnagentleman.com