Gary Ray Schaefer
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Tuesday, December 30, 1952
Date of Death:
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Age:
68 years old
Visitation
Date: Monday September 20, 2021
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Byron Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Tuesday September 21, 2021
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Christ Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Memorial Service
Date: Tuesday September 21, 2021
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Christ Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Byron Cemetery [ view map ]
Important Information:
Masking will be required to attend the memorial service at the church on Tuesday.
The church will be live-streaming the memorial service. The link to the church broadcast will be. Please click HERE a few minutes before the service begins.
Tuesday, December 30, 1952
Date of Death:
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Age:
68 years old
Tuesday, December 30, 1952
Date of Death:
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Age:
68 years old
Gary Ray Schaefer
Gary Ray Schaefer, 68, of Byron, MN passed away at home on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.
Gary was born at the Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama on December 30, 1952, to Ray and Eloise Schaefer. He graduated from Bonesteel High School in South Dakota in 1971 and went on to attend the University of South Dakota at Springfield. Gary moved to Minnesota and fell in love with his wife, Cheryl. They were married on April 7, 1979, and had two daughters, Anya and Angie. He had five grandchildren who will all miss him dearly.
Gary had worked at IBM in Rochester for 22 years and after retiring he managed the Snap Fitness in Byron for several years. Gary enjoyed traveling to Florida, bowling, boating, and spending time with his friends and family.
Gary is survived by his wife, Cheryl Schaefer of Byron; his daughters, Anya (Robert) Zella of Naples, FL and Angela (Casey) Green of Byron; his five grandchildren; a sister, Susan Gray of Rochester and his mother Eloise Schaefer of Naples, FL.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Schaefer and a baby sister.
The Schaefer family would like to thank the nurses and doctors of the Mayo Clinic Oncology Department, and the nurses of Seasons Hospice.
A memorial service for Gary will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at Christ Lutheran Church in Byron with Pastor Steve Rheingans officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00PM – 7:00PM, Monday, September 20, 2021, at the Byron Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be at the Byron Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Mayo Clinic for cancer research, Seasons Hospice or Christ Lutheran Church.
Condolences
The family of Gary Ray Schaefer has received the following condolences.
My profound sympathies to you Cheryl and your family.
Eloise, Cheryl and Family,
My sisters shared with me this afternoon of Gary's passing. I am so sorry. I grew up with Gary in Bonesteel, S.D. We last talked a few months ago after the passing of another good Bonesteel childhood friend. We talked about bowling, our parents, our families and what we have been up to the last 50 years. When his granddaughter (Addie?) spoke at the funeral this afternoon (thanks to YouTube), she talked of Gary and his driving. Gary and his cars are some of my fondest memories. Gary was the first friend to have a driver's license and I am pretty sure he was driving well before he actually had his license. I always felt like a bit of an outlaw when riding with Gary. I might have been 13 and Gary 14, knowing that something about his driving was just wrong; but exciting nonetheless! The first car I remember was his dad's 4-door white Chevy. I had to help him wash it if I was going to get a ride. However, the really cool car was a bronze Oldsmobile Cutlass with a white soft-top, equipped with one of the only 8-track players in town, with great tunes of Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, the Grassroots, Donovan, Jeanie C. Riley and others. Gary was introducing me to the "dark side" of rock and roll! We were good friends and played countless games of Ten Point Pitch, drinking lots of Mountain Dew, at Eloise's kitchen table, especially during snow days! Rest in peace my good friend! I am glad we got to talk just a few months ago. Be well Eloise and God Bless!
Steve Hebert
Denver, CO
Cheryl and family,
So sorry for your loss. We're sending prayers to all of you during this difficult time. Gary was one of a kind, and he will be missed dearly.
Schaefer family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thought and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Ross and Laura
Dear Cheryl, Anya, and Angie,
I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was always so welcoming to us girls in high school, willing to let us come enjoy our summers at the lake! Such good memories. He was always friendly and even came by last year when I was living near by telling me to never hesitate to ask him for help snow plowing my driveway! He was great man and great father to Anya and Angie. He will be truly missed. Thinking of you and praying for all of you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Malia
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Gary. He was always smiling and had such a positive outlook on life. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to get to know him.
I so sorry to hear of you loss. Deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Bob and I are so sorry for your loss, Gary will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Cheryl, and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family on the loss of Gary. Dave & Rose (custodians at Christ Lutheran)
Gary and Sheryl were the first two people we met when we moved to Byron. They were staying at Gary's parents while the new house was being built. They made us feel very comfortable and Anya and Angie loved playing with our children. Thank you for helping make a great first impression to Byron. Gary was always good at heart and just loved to have a good time. Many great times were had from playing softball and best shot golf tournaments in Hayfield. Will never forget the memories from "Choir Practice." Rest in peace, my friend.
Cheryl and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Blessings and prayers for Gary and all of you!
Therese
Deepest sympathies to all in the passing of dear Gary. May you find strength in family and friends during this difficult time. God's Peace.?❤
Cheryl and family,
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy for your loss. I know what it is like to lose my father now five years ago of cancer and it is very difficult. My prayers go out to you and your family during this challenging time. Best wishes and know that Gary is now in a peaceful place.
We are so sorry for your loss, Gary will be deeply missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with the you, Cheryl and your family during this difficult time.
Phil and Beth
Heaven has gained a huge personality! He will keep it lively up there! I am deeply sorry for your family’s loss. Thinking of all of you during this time.
Gary will certainly be missed here on earth! He had a HUGE personality....loved talking, laughing and telling stories. Gary would do anything to help others as he also had a huge heart.
We've known Gary for a long time..card club, I worked with him at Snap, golfed with him, as well as fun get together.
Prayers, sympathy and thoughts of comfort to Gary's family and all who knew him. There will be "Gary Stories" floating around for many years to come!
Ed and Kristie Nelson
My sympathy to Gary's family. We had many long talks at snap fitness. We each had the same black trans am. He was smart enough to keep his. He was such a nice man. He will be missed.
My sympathy to Gary's family. We had many long talks at snap fitness. We each had the same black trans am. He was smart enough to keep his. He was such a nice man. He will be missed.
I'm so sorry about Gary's passing. He was one of the good guys. One of the best. He was a wonderful uncle, and I will miss him.