LA CROSSE — Michael C. Schaffer, 88, La Crosse, died Friday, March 22 at the Kansas Soldiers Home, Fort Dodge. He was born Feb. 25, 1925, in Liebenthal, the son of Michael and Magdalena (Herrman) Schaffer.  He was a lifelong resident of Rush County. He attended Lucky Hollow Country Grade School, and was a 1943 graduate of Schoenchen High School. After his return from World War II, he worked for the State Engineer’s Division in Larned.  He later farmed, until his retirement.
Mr. Schaffer was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and an honorary member of the Knights Of Columbus Council 2340, both of Liebenthal, an honorary Fourth Degree Knight of the Bishop Cunningham Assembly 282, Hays, and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3147, La Crosse.
He was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Army. He served in the Battle of the Bulge, Battle of the Siegfried Line, and the Rhine River Crossing. He received the American Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon, and the EAMET Ribbon. Mr. Schaffer served on the front line until the end of the war, which ended in Berlin, Germany. He was in Berlin, Germany, when the Germans surrendered to the United States under General Patton’s 3rd Army 5th Infantry Division, the division Mr. Schaffer served with.
On May 11, 1949, he married Juanita Urban at Holy Cross Church in Pfeifer.
Survivors include  his wife, of La Crosse; two sons, Leland and his wife, Jan, Liebenthal, and Harvey and his wife, Laurie, Great Bend; one daughter, Donna and her husband, James Herrman, Olathe; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Monica Unrein, Hays, Ludwina Haselhorst, Hays, Frances Urban, Great Bend, and Mary Kisner, Wichita.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Roy Michael Schaffer, two brothers, Vincent Schaffer, and Joe Schaffer, and four sisters, Applonia Moeder, Bertha Moeder, Martina Werth, and Anna Price.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Liebenthal, with Father Pascal Klein officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Liebenthal. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. today at the Janousek Funeral Home, with a vigil service and rosary at 7 p.m. Church visitation will be from 9-9:50 a.m. Monday at the church. Memorials are suggested to masses, St. Joseph’s Heritage Association, Liebenthal, or the donor’s choice.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Janousek Funeral Home*
719 Pine, P.O. Box 550
La Crosse, KS 67548
(785) 222-2517
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 24, 2013