Obituary for James Wesley Schaefer

Reverend James Wesley Schaefer, 75, of Decorah, Iowa died Thursday, March 18, at the Rochester airport, Rochester, Minnesota. He was returning from his winter home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Memorial services will be held at 3 P. M. on Thursday, April 1 at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah with Pastor Matthew Perkins officiating. James Schaefer, the son of Wesley George and Vera Thie Schaefer, was born March 5, 1929 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a graduate of Hamline University, St. Paul, MN and the Chicago Theological Seminary. Reverend Schaefer served the following pastorates: 1952 –1955, student pastor at United Church of Hyde Park, Chicago, IL; 1955 – 1957, associate pastor at Pilgrim Congregational in Duluth, MN; 1957 – 1961, pastor at First Congregational Church in Cannon Falls, MN; 1961 – 1964, associate pastor at First Congregational in Wyandotte, MI; 1964 – 1978, pastor at Pilgrim UCC in Livonia, MI; and 1979 – 1989, pastor at Congregational UCC in Decorah, IA. From 1990 to 1995, he was part-time Northeast area conference minister for the Iowa Conference United Church of Christ. Reverend Schaefer served on the Iowa conference Board of Directors, 1983 – 1986, and was chair in 1986. He was a Corporate Member of the UC Board for Homeland Ministries, 1974 – 1983. He was a member of the NE Association Church and Ministry Committee serving as secretary from 1980 – 1986. He was an officer of Crosslines Council, an ecumenical corporation which established and supported outreach and service activities in the Decorah community. He was chairperson of the Decorah Ministerium when he retired as pastor of the Decorah UCC. Pastor Schaefer, upon retiring from the active ministry in 1995, continued to make Decorah his home. He was loved and respected for his intellectual clarity and professional courtesy. During his years as minister of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah, he nurtured and led the youth group with great success, challenging the youth to think and explore new ideas. He was a role model to both lay members and ministers. He fostered financial leadership in the Decorah church by promoting sound budgeting and investment practices. He also assisted the congregation in developing a handicap accessible entry to the sanctuary via an enclosed connection between the Church and the Fellowship Center. During his tenure as minister of the Decorah church, he facilitated the transition from a church parsonage to private ownership of the pastor''s home. Pastor Schaefer initiated the monthly soup Sunday''s, which still continue in the Decorah Congregation. His love for music was incorporated in the worship services. He reactivated the church choir and was choir director during his early years in the Decorah Church. The Congregational United Church of Christ of Decorah, in 2004, is celebrating its 150th anniversary, a milestone in which he took delight. His significant contributions in leadership and friendship will be missed by many in the Decorah community. His interests included reading, music: both classical and opera, bible study, model railroads and politics. He also sang in a male chorus and a community chorus, arranged music for and sang in a quartet and played piano. Reverend Schaefer was interested in environmental matters and spent much time building and working on his geodesic dome home. James Schaefer was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard. He is survived by numerous cousins, including Norma Hols, Spokane, WA; Charles Thie, Burlington, IA; Kent Thie, Sisters, OR; and Linda Stephens, Lake Forest Park, WA. Memorials may be sent to the U. S. Board for Homeland Ministries. A memory or tribute to Reverend James W. Schaefer may be left at www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries. Please contact Reverend Matthew Perkins, Congregational United Church of Christ, Decorah, 209 W. Broadway, P.O. Box 470, Decorah, IA, 52101, (ph. 563-382-2661) for other details and concerns.