Elsbeth "Beth" Karoline Schafer

Elsbeth (Beth) Karoline Schafer of Cottage Grove, MN passed away Sunday, June 21, 2026, 2 months shy of her 93rd Birthday. She was surrounded by her loving family who showered her with love, happiness and cherished memories in her final days.

She was preceded in death by her middle daughter, Pamy, in 2007, her loving husband Bill in 2009 and her sister, Wilma in 2008.

Beth was born on August 20, 1933 in Wiesbaden, Germany. She was the beloved wife of Bill and the mother of Patsy, Pamy & Patrick.

In 1957, she married American soldier, William Charles Schafer and immigrated to the United States and made a home in Kiel, WI with her new husband. They moved their family around the country until they built their house in Cottage Grove, MN in 1970 and there, they raised their family and made it their home for the next 56 years. Beth and Bill celebrated more than 50 years of marriage before his death in 2009. Beth continued to live in the family home until her death on Sunday.

She retired from Control Data Benefits & HR and enjoyed many years of retirement filling her time with sewing, knitting, traveling the US and abroad…. but her happy place was always her summers camping at Codgers Cove in Howard Lake, MN and spending time with her family.

She was a dedicated & loving wife and mother, a devoted Oma and a dear friend to many. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her children Patsy (Brett) Kovacs of Little Canada, MN and Patrick (Doreen) Schafer of Ft. Myers, FL. She was a constant presence and a deeply loved Oma to her 4 grandchildren, Corey (Kayla) Maleitzke of Cottage Grove, MN; Whitney (Justin) Andre of Mankato, MN; BreAnna (Luke) von Busch of Venice, FL and Cole Kovacs (Mary Kieffer) of East Bethel, MN and her 4 great grandchildren, Parker & Walker Andre; Elsie von Busch and Pamy Maleitzke. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Doreen’s extended family, including Mason (Emily) Leuthard & Callahan of Sioux Falls, SD. She will be missed by her niece Rose (John) Sena of Albuquerque, NM and dear friends Julie & Dan Kurth of New Ulm, MN, many camping friends and long-time retiree group from Control Data. She was a truly special woman whose life was defined by kindness and grace, and who was surrounded by the respect, admiration and boundless love of her family and friends!

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, 12-3 PM at Codgers Cove Campground in Howard Lake, MN. A private burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be scheduled for family.

A very special thank you to Hospice of the Midwest, especially her nurse, Liz, whose weekly visits Beth looked forward to and shared weekend camping stories together. We couldn’t have done it without her support.