St. Michael’s resident honored for military service
Awards and newspapers articles honoring Edward Schaefer’s military experience fill the walls of his room at St. Michael’s Assisted Living in Fountain City, WI. Edward, who turned 97 on January 5, served in the United States Army for seven years. He spent his military career working as a mechanic in North Africa, near the Mediterranean Sea, during World War II.
One award hanging next to Edward’s bed, dated 1942, recognizes him for serving in defense of his country. Another, from Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, reads “Patriotic Americans like you ensure that our nation remains ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave’ for generations to come.” A newspaper article shows that Edward recently received a Quilts of Valor made by the Burlington Quilters of Valor sponsored by the Burlington Hotel and Quilt Shop in Alma, WI.
Edward, who worked as a farmer before joining the armed forces, quickly learned about how to repair cars. He worked so hard that he was given the title of shop foreman and was in charge of around 15 mechanics.
“I spent every day working. I really actually enjoyed Army life. I made up my mind that when I joined, I was going to like and I did,” he said.
After returning home to Osseo, WI, Edward married his childhood sweetheart Ethel. They couple had three children together. Edward continued to work as a mechanic and a farmer, but began a delivering the mail for a rural route, a job that he held for 33 years.
Edward has resided at St. Michael’s for almost two years. His daughter Sandra also lives in Fountain City, so she is able to visit frequently.
Edward attends both weekly Bible studies and church services led by Pastor Mann at St. Michael’s. He has been able to make receive the services that he needs.
“I love it here. They are so good to me, things couldn’t be any better,” Edward said, “I love church more since I moved here. Pastor Mann is so wonderful at explaining things.”
After sharing his story with us, God called Edward home to heaven on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018.
Edward is only one of 80 veterans currently residing in a TLHA care community. In our 120th year of caring for souls, we are honoring both our veteran residents and team members. Our history begins with one family’s loss during the Civil War. A 15-year-old Ernst Boessling from Belle Plaine volunteered to serve with the Minnesota troops. He died in September of 1863 in service to his country at Vicksburg, Mississippi.
His mother, Sophie, had saved the government death benefits she received all the years after Ernst died. Wanting to provide a home for others like herself, she donated the money and her family’s farmland to build das Alten und Waisenheim—the Aged and Orphans’ Home. Now more than a century later, Sophie’s gift continues to benefit countless lives.
TLHA has active senior living, assisted living and memory care communities in Belle Plaine and Mankato, Minnesota, and River Falls, Fountain City, and Watertown, Wisconsin. Looking for a place to call home? Visit www.tlha.org/communities.