Obituary

Norman Schafer was born December 25, 1928, in Innisfail, AB, Canada. He passed into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father at the age of 87 on October 5, 2016, in Bellingham, WA.

Norman was raised on a farm in Alberta, and he went on to Mountain View Bible College as a young adult. He trained there for the pastorate for 5 years. He was married 65 years to his sweetheart, LaVerna M Walz from Jerome, ID. on August 14, 1951. Their family grew to include 3 sons: Steven, Rodney and David.

Norman was a gentle, encouraging Pastor who shepherded well. He was devoted to serving his people in churches across the USA. His ministry began in Birch Bay in 1952, although he and LaVerna were planning to go to Portland to further his education at Western Seminary when they were in a car accident. They had to use their school funds to replace the car, and so ministry continued instead. They served in Filer, ID; Roy, WA; Birch Bay, WA (a second time); Franklin, NE; Longmont, CO; Colstrip, MT; Harrison, AR; and St. Ignatius, MT where they retired after 50 years of ministry. They returned to the nearby community of their originating ministry, living near their son Rod and his family, where they called home until Norman’s passing. They had spent his last several months together at St. Francis in Bellingham.

Norman’s passions were playing games, leather tooling, woodworking, and wood scrolling. He was especially passionate about wood scrolling in the last 9 years!

Norman was pre-deceased by his mother, Catherine Alberta Schafer in 1976. He is survived by his dearly loved wife, LaVerna M Schafer of Bellingham, WA. His three sons: Steven and Carol of Athabasca, AB. Rodney and Arlene of Ferndale, WA. David and Kathleen of Albuquerque, NM. Grandchildren: Dennis and Katie Schafer, Amanda and Chase Falkenhagen, Alison and Eziah Pahl, Alisha Schafer, Carson Schafer, Carrie Schafer and Paschal Kikuji. Great Grandchildren: Calvin and Grace Schafer, Brunas and Roel Kikuji and Hope Falkenhagen.

***Memorial donations can be made in his honor to the Gideons International.

A memorial service will be held on October 13, 2016, in the Family Room at North County Christ the King, in Lynden, WA. Entrance to the Family Room is on the west side of the building.