Bernard Jacob Schaefer, 99, of Olathe, Kansas, died on April 18, 2024, surrounded by a loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday April 24 at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 West 71st St, Overland Park, Kansas. A luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be at 1:30 PM at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, Missouri. The visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 23rd, from 4 to 6 pm at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, Kansas, with a Rosary at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 West 71st St, Overland Park, Kansas.
Bernard, known to his extended family as Uncle Bud, was born on November 18th, 1924, in Linn, Missouri to Joseph Michael Schaefer and Mary Elizabeth Reinkemeyer. He was the youngest of 12 hard working children on his parents’ farm and he graduated with pride from Linn High School in 1944. He served in the US Navy during WW II and was stationed in the Philippines. He married the love of his life, Goldie E. Walls, in August,1948. He and Goldie celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in August of 2023. He began a 41 year career at Farmers Insurance in Filing and progressed to a CPCU Underwriter, ending as a Sales Representative for Commercial Businesses. After attending night school for 7 years he graduated in 1956 from Rockhurst College with a BSBA. After retirement in 1988, Bud and Goldie traveled the world to exotic places such as The Holy Land, the Pyramids, Europe, China and many more. In addition to traveling by themselves, he enjoyed treating his children and grandchildren to family cruises in warmer climates. He and Goldie delighted in their 7 grandchildren and attended many of the important events in their lives. After ‘waiting forever,’ he was blessed with 3 great granddaughters all currently under 2 and half, with a 4th great grandchild expected in July.
Bud was a longtime member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, serving on the parish council and was also a member of the Kansas City, Kansas Serra Club. He supported Seminarians with prayers and donations. He also spent an hour in prayer daily, with a specific emphasis on cancer survivors. In good times and bad, he remained a loyal KC Royals fan. He was especially proud of his long history of blood donations which continued into his 80’s.
He is preceded in death by his parents and all eleven of his siblings. Bud is survived by his wife Goldie E. Schaefer, their four children and spouses, Dennis and Janet Schaefer of Overland Park, KS, Mark and Kathy Schaefer of Spring, TX, Karen and Paul Camarata of Overland Park, KS and Kathy and John Lubetich of Silverdale , WA , grandchildren and spouses Sarah and Tim White, Brian Schaefer, Gina and John Tierney, Chris Camarata and Jackie Piszczek, Laura Camarata and her fiancé, Joe Szczybor, Kelsey and Ken McMaster and Shannon Lubetich, and 3 great granddaughters, Lina, Lily & Lila.