Joan V. Schaefer

Joan Veronica Hogan Schaefer was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 3rd, 1928 to Ida Lump Hogan and John Hogan. She was the oldest of three children. Her siblings were Jack Hogan and Patricia Hogan Butler.

She graduated from Clark College in Dubuque, Iowa with a B.S. In Science. After college, she worked as a chemical librarian at Northwestern University .

On October 20, 1951, she married Robert Schaefer, who loved her dearly. They raised six feisty, independent and opinionated children; William Schaefer, Diane Schaefer, Robert Schaefer, Carole Schaefer, Barbara Nichols and Thomas Schaefer (who believes himself to be her favorite). Her children share many, many crazy stories and adventures that tried her patience, humor and sanity. We survived these adventures together and now enjoy many evenings of laughter.

She was an active member of Christ the King Catholic Church. She made many life-long friends and enjoyed being active in their drama club. Joan taught elementary school at St. Joan of Arc. She also taught junior high science at Lawrence Township Schools.

Reading books gave her pleasure throughout her entire life. She always had a good book going. In her later years she especially enjoyed her books on tape. In her retired years Joan enjoyed traveling with her friends and family. She loved exploring and learning about new places and cultures.

A highlight of her years was earning her Gold Points in bridge. She was a cut-throat card player and enjoyed many games at the Indianapolis Bridge Center. She also taught her family a 7 round Rummy game that is now known and enjoyed by many across the country as "Schaefer" Rummy.

For almost a decade she and her family would gather each summer at Wasatch Lakes where she enjoyed the antics of her grandchildren; Kyle (Bob), Tahelor (Tom), Maggie and Betsy (Barb), and Riley and River (Carole). Her grandchildren gave her much joy.

Marquette was her home her last year and a half of life. She enjoyed meeting and making many new friends there.

She was of the generation that faced life with a practical, sensible nature. She had a will of steel, but also a great sense of humor. She loved a good joke and could laugh at herself and the absurdities of life. She shared this life view with her children expecting the same sensibilities from her children.

Her laughter and friendship will be missed by all who knew her. May she rest in peace and love, knowing she finished a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, please a donation to your favorite charity or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

Arrangements under the direction of Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary, Indianapolis, IN.