Springs, Colorado. She was born in Alva, Oklahoma on August 1, 1930, the oldest child of
Homer and Olga Jones.
She grew up in the small town of Alva and her fondest childhood memories included her
parents’ movie theaters that afforded her the opportunities to attend motion picture
conventions and meet movie stars; her trip to Cuba as a ten-year-old accompanying her
father’s group of Rotarians; meeting Eleanor Roosevelt when she visited Alva; participating in
drama and speech and anything musical. She said her earliest ambitions were to be a good
piano player and dancer and that the things that made her smile were music, school, and
books.
Although she regretted not finishing college, she did attend Oklahoma University for several
semesters before returning to Alva and marrying her high school sweetheart, Darrel (Pete)
Schaefer in September 1950. She then attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University until
the birth of their first child in 1952. Two more children were born in Alva before Petie and Pete
moved to Colorado Springs, where their fourth child was born. They remained married until
Pete’s death in 1980.
She worked as a librarian in Colorado Springs District 11 schools for two decades. She
enjoyed music, reading, knitting, playing bridge, her good friends in the Bereans, volunteering
at the First United Methodist Church, hospice, and P.E.O., hosting tea parties and wearing fun
hats, international travel, her million dollar views of Pikes Peak, and the colors red and purple.
Her favorite memory was that she used to have a good memory.
She married Dale Frieden in 1989 and they spent several happy years together until his death in 1992.
She is survived by her children and their families. Laura Schaefer Slygh, her husband Michael,
their son Max and daughter-in-law Genevieve. James Schaefer, his wife Cindy, their son
Christopher and daughter-in-law Abigail and their children, Elsa and Zeke and their daughter
Tara and son-in-law Chris Tulip and their children, Samuel, Abigail, and Daniel. Rick Schaefer,
his wife Carmen, and their daughter Zoe. Larry Schaefer, his wife Wendy, and their son John.
She is also survived by her brother, Johnny Jones, his wife Donna, their son Jesse and his wife
Brandy and their children, Payton and Jaxon. And her step-children, Lex Frieden, his wife
Joyce and their family and Brooke, her husband Mike Miller and their family. And many nieces
and nephews.
Arrangements are being made by Swan-Law Funeral Home. Burial at Evergreen Cemetery will
be private. A Celebration of Life at the First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs will
be planned for Spring 2019 and details, once finalized, will be posted on Swan-Law’s website
Please consider a donation in her memory to the First United Methodist Church, 420 N.
Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903, designated for the preservation and
maintenance of the bell tower chimes.
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