Mae Dell Lange Schaefer

Mae Dell Lange Schaefer, 88, received her gift of eternal life on March 25, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

Mae Dell was born on October 18, 1933, to Frank and Isabella (Dierschke) Lange. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Rowena and graduated as valedictorian of her senior class in 1951. She worked in the Runnels County Courthouse for several years before her marriage to Hilmer Frank Schaefer on February 4, 1958. They enjoyed fifty years of married life. Many of those years were spent on their family farm before they moved to Rowena.

She was a dedicated wife and mother and instilled the values of faith and hard work into her seven children. Mae Dell also made sure to schedule fun family activities and vacations. She loved being a grandmother and spending time with her grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren have many wonderful memories from times spent with her.

Mae Dell was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Ann’s Altar Society. After her children were grown, she worked as the St. Joseph church secretary until she retired.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hilmer; granddaughter Annika Knutson; parents, Frank and Isabella Lange; sisters, Elaine Pelzel, Bernice Gully, Edna Schaefer; and brother, David Lange.

She is survived by her two sons Mark Schaefer and wife Jeanne of San Antonio, Gary Schaefer and wife Tami of San Angelo; five daughters Donna Kruse and husband David of Hanover KS, Susan Schumacher and husband Gene of Gainesville, Connie Case and husband Craig of Waxahachie, Joan Schwartz and husband John of Wall, and Lori Knutson and husband Eric of Rowena. She is also survived by her brother Andrew Lange and wife Helen of Rowena, sister-in-law Pat Lange Kvapil, twenty-one grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would like to give a very special thanks to caregivers Kaye Scott and Faye Hatten. Words cannot express the depth of gratitude for their loving care of Mae Dell during the last five years.

Rosary will be held on Monday evening at 7:00 pm. A celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday morning at 10:00 am. Both the Rosary and Mass are at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Tom Barley and Father Ariel Lagunilla officiating the Mass. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be made to the St. Joseph Special Projects Fund or a favorite charity.