Imogene Schafer

Imogene Schafer passed Sunday, March 3rd, 2013 at Pine Ridge Memory Care Facility in Spokane, WA. Imogene (Kuest) Schafer was born in Odessa, WA September 6th, 1924 to Herb and Emma Kuest. She graduated from Odessa high School. She met our father Robert Schafer at a Grange Dance and courted for 2 years while Bob worked at the Shipyards on the coast. July 26th, 1942 they married and lived in Odessa until 1956 when they moved to Spokane. Imogene worked in sales at the Crescent downtown and then moved on to Rusan’s Clothing, also downtown, where she absolutely loved her work. She was well known for her expertise and had many return customers.

In 1966 they moved back to Odessa to the farm where Imogene worked at the Post Office. She also helped out during harvest time driving truck and running the auger for the family farm. Imogene also volunteered at the school in Odessa where she worked with students who needed extra help with their reading skills by reading with them and sharing her knowledge of phonics. She loved reading and felt that everyone should be able to have the opportunity and ability to read books. In her retirement, she became immersed in her favorite sport, golfing! She would be on the course as soon as spring would allow until late summer. Rain or shine, if it was not too cold, she was willing to do the task!

Bob and Imogene were members of the United Congregational Church where Imogene sang in the choir for many years. In 2004 the farm was sold and they moved into town. 2 short years later in 2006, our father passed and she lost the love of her life. Soon after our dad’s passing, the onset of Dementia took hold of our mom and in 2006 we sold the house and she was moved to Spokane. It was there she could have the care that she needed and also be near her daughters.

From 2006 to 2012 Imogene lived at the Waterford and had recently moved to Pine Ridge in November of 2012. Everywhere she lived, she was loved by all. Her quick wit and great humor became more developed and she never ceased to amaze us. She never let the disease of Dementia hold her back or cause her sadness. She still loved living life and never said no to any type of “outing”. She was always “ready to go”! She loved going to lunch, going shopping or one her favorites, going to the Casino. She looked forward to going every month. She also swam every week up until the last year of her life. Her heart became too weak for her to swim as well as many of the things she loved so much to do. On Sunday, March 3rd, 2013 she got dressed to go to breakfast and laid back down. She passed a few moments later from a tired heart, quick and without pain. God is good.

Imogene preceded in death by her husband Robert in 2006, her sister June Weber of Odessa, WA in 2009 (?) and their son Brian Schafer in 1952. She is survived by her sister Darlene Streeter in Ritzville, WA., her 3 children Sandy (Jack) McBride of Colfax, WA, Steve Schafer of Missoula, MT and Cathy (Jeff) Kimble from Spokane, WA. She was blessed with 5 grandchildren, Cullin Contino, Brenden McBride, Cormac McBride, Tyler Carr and Courtney Carr as well as 10 great grandchildren.

Our mother and grandmother will be greatly missed. She was loved and we will never forget her. Memorials may be made to the Heritage Church or Hospice of Spokane.

A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 2:00PM at Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, 1306 N. Pines Spokane Valley, WA. Please sign our online guest book at www.stratefuneralhome.com. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.