Donna Mae Schaefer

Donna Mae Nelson Schaefer, age 96, daughter of Albert C. and Bertha Nelson, was born May 21,1930 in Wakonda, SD and died August 4, 2026 at Majestic Bluffs in Yankton, SD.

Donna graduated from Wakonda High School in 1948.  She graduated from NBT business school in Sioux City and worked in Sioux City.  On October 15, 1949 she married John Schaefer at St. Patrick's Church in Wakonda.  She was a member of St. Patrick's, the Altar Society, and various clubs.  She liked to play cards, bowl, and spend time with family and friends.  Donna and John raised four children: Jackie, Tom, Dave and Jan.  They enjoyed traveling and visited all of the US states and several foreign countries. After John retired from farming they spent their winter months in Arizona for 16 years.  They moved to Yankton in 2010.  They were members of St. Benedict in Yankton. 

Donna is survived by Jackie (Joe) Trudeau, Dr. Tom (Cathy) Schaefer, Dave (Donna) Schaefer, and Jan (Bill) Hansen, 14 grandchildren: Amy (Pat) King, Kathy (Travis) Geary, Erin (Nick) Hammitt, Dan (Ashley) Trudeau, Dave (Nicole) Trudeau, Adam (Cydney) Trudeau, Ryan Schaefer, Alice Schaefer (Jake Rondeau), Heather Bray and friend Tim Brandon, Kristin Schaefer, Eric (Lindsey) Hansen, Katie (Austin) Dale, Keri (Chris) Bell and Lee (Kaity) Hansen, and 27 great-grandchildren.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her infant daughter, Catherine Rose, her brothers and her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Visitation will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church from 5-7 PM on Thursday, August 6th with a Rosary at 6:45 PM.  Funeral Mass will be at 3:00 PM on Friday, August 7th at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Wakonda, SD.  Burial will follow in St Patrick's Catholic Cemetery.