Mary Kate was born in Missouri and moved to Fruita at a young age. She attended school in Loma and Fruita, and graduated from Fruita Union H.S. in 1954.
Mary Kate married her high school sweetheart in 1954, Richard L. Schafer. They were married for 65 years before Richard's death in January 2020.
Mary Kate was an L.P.N., rancher, truck driver, and foremost, mother and wife. They retired back in the Grand Valley where she was at home.
She is survived by children, Carol (Michael) Kulp and John (Retha) Schafer; seven grandchildren; and twenty great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard; sons, Rick and Michael; and five brothers and sisters.
Viewing will be at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 from 9am to 10am. Service will be at 11am for family. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family would like donations to be sent to Hospice.