Dr. Lyle Loren Schaefer, PHD

died peacefully (not of COVID) on May 6th, 2020 in Northglenn, Colorado at the age of 89.

Lyle is survived by his Wife of 60 years, Wanda, Their daughters, Linda Schaefer-Hanley, Valerie Schaefer, Gloria Rybkowski, his grandchildren Tessa Zatorski, Erin Rybkowski, Meghann Rybkowski, and his Sister, Marian Schiemann of Omaha, Nebraska. He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Laura, and his Sister Eileen Schaefer and his brother Wilmer Schaefer Of Omaha Nebraska.

Lyle was born on July 7th, 1930 in Guide Rock, Nebraska to Laura and Arthur. He graduated from Kearney State and began his long teaching career at Eckley in rural NE. He then moved to Colorado to join the staff at Denver Lutheran High School and continue his education at the University of Denver, where he achieved a Masters, and a Doctorate in History in 1976. He married Wanda Kemmerer, a nurse, after meeting her at Walther League, a church youth club in 1959. Over the next six years, the couple welcomed three daughters into their home. His daughters remember him as a kind and loving father who taught them faith and a strong value of education.

Lyle began working for Denver Lutheran High School as a teacher of U.S., World, and Advanced Placement History. Dr. Schaefer had an incredible memory for his students and sporting events over his years of service to Lutheran High School. His love of history motivated him to share that love with his students for over 40 years. He was also passionate about sports and wrote a high school sports column for local newspapers. He was an active and dedicated member and Elder at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and often volunteered at Denver Lutheran High School after he retired.

Because of the COVID pandemic, the family has opted to have a private graveside service on Friday, May 15th, officiated by Lyle’s dear friend, Pastor David Langewisch. A celebration of Dr. Lyle Schaefer’s life will occur in 2021, date TBD, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, for which all will be welcomed to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2100 Wadsworth Blvd. Denver, CO 80214 and the Lyle Schaefer Scholarship Fund at Lutheran High School, 11249 Newlin Gulch Blvd, Parker, CO. 80134. The family would like to thank the caregivers and nurses at Avamere, Malley and Dignity Hospice for the dedication and real affection they showed him in the last few months of his life.