Carol Ann Schaffner, 86, Palermo, North Dakota, passed away May 6, 2021, at Trinity Health, Minot, North Dakota, of natural causes, surrounded by the love of her family both near and far.

Mom was born December 29, 1934, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, to Clell and Gladys (Goff) Harris, the 5th of six children. She graduated from South Omaha High School in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1953. While in school Mom excelled in music, playing the clarinet, and singing with her beautiful soprano voice. It was during her senior year that she met her one true love, our handsome dad, Bill Schaffner, who came to Omaha to work after graduating from high school and was living with his brother who happened to be the minister at the Church Mom attended. It has been said that it didn’t take Dad long to ask Mom out. Then Grandpa Harris was about to get transferred with his job. As the story was told, Mom didn’t want to move her senior year and the only people Grandpa and Grandma wanted to leave Mom with was Dad’s brother and wife. But Dad lived there. So, there was only one option—let them get married. Mom and Dad got married on December 26, 1952, three days before she turned 18. The rest of that love story is that they were married for 43 years before cancer took him too soon. Oh, and Grandpa never did get transferred. Mom and Dad had five children. Bill was born in 1954, Beth in 1955, Candy in 1957, Shelly in 1958 and Carol Sue in 1960. Yes, five children in six years. And while we are sure there were hard times with so many little kids at the same time by the time the kids were old enough to stay home alone Mom and Dad were still young and had many years of travel and time together.

Mom was Dad’s companion and helpmate not only in raising their family but also in their ministry. Together they ministered in five states and eight congregations, three at the same time. Mom always had an active part in the Churches from singing in the choir, leading the youth and adult choir,teaching Bible Class and leading the summer VBS and Christmas programs. Even with all of our activities, we found a lot of time for games with card games being favorites.

Mom was always a part of all her children’s activities. And with five kids there were a lot of activities from 4-H to piano lessons, band and choir concerts, ball games and track meets, church youth activities, and even a couple scholarship pageants. Mom worked outside the home for many years, mostly in the food industry while she had kids at home but also as a telemarketer for Hormel Foods and other groups and, for a while, she answered phones for an answering service.

When Dad passed away, they were living in Austin, Minnesota. Shortly after his passing Mom moved to Billings, Montana, where Beth and Candy lived. In time their families moved away, and Mom decided in 2003 it was time to retire to a warmer climate, so she chose Dalhart, TX, where Candy was living. Little did she know that Dalhart got some pretty substantial snowstorms. When Candy moved again Mom went along, this time to Minot, North Dakota. We weren’t sure what she was thinking because we all knew North Dakota was not known for mild winters. But North Dakota became home, and Mom made friends and was loved. Mom lived at Henry Towers where you could regularly find her in the game room playing a variety of card games. Mom loved to play cards and oh how she loved to win! In later years we teased her about changing the rules to her benefit, although cheating was something Mom would not tolerate.

Mom loved Dad and Mom loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. But, more than that, Mom loved Jesus and it showed in the books she read and the music she listened to as well as in how she showed love to everyone she knew. Up to the day she died, Mom made reading her Bible part of her daily life.

Mom is survived by her children: Bill (Laura) Schaffner, Colorado Springs, CO; Beth (Steve) Hinebauch, Wibaux, MT; Candy (Mark) Batteiger, Palermo, ND; Shelly Anders, Sierra Vista, AZ; Carol Sue (Bruce) Berger, Houston, TX; 19 grandchildren: Courtney (Nic) Caballero, Tyler Schaffner, Lisa (Chance) Splattstoesser, Lindy (Brandon) Lynn, Amy (Travis) Rapp, Kirk (Deberlena) Hinebauch, Kyle (Jane) Hinebauch; Christine (Trevar) Godbolt, Jonathan (Amber) Batteiger, Daniel (Amanda) Batteiger, Anna (Jarren) Long, Telina (Daniel) Smith, Anthony (Tiffany) Anders, Cameron Anders, Casey Anders, Timothy Berger, Jeffery Berger, Matthew (Morgan) Berger, and Christopher Berger; 38 Great Grandchildren: Jackson and Harry Caballero; Shaylynn (Kellen) Hood, Vanessa, Aubree, Quinlee Splattstoesser, Rylan, Rylee, Hadlee, Sawyer Lynn, Brenna, Alysa, Camden Rapp, Ronica, Shane,Averyana Hinebauch, Weston, Edith, Adaline Hinebauch; Daisha Godbolt, Dallas, Asher, Brynlee Batteiger, Miles, William, Hailey Batteiger, Sadie, Addison, Hayden Long; Lillie, Abbie, Audrie Smith, Drew, Evan, KasenAnders, Owen, Rylie, Kaylie Anders; Charlie Berger; and one Great Great Granddaughter Blakelynn Hood.

Mom was preceded in death by Dad, her parents, and Dad’s parents, her brothers, and sisters, and three grandsons: Nick Schaffner, Shane Hinebauch and Amos Batteiger, and many “Angel Babies”.

Mom, we love you and would have kept you here forever. But we would never want to bring you back from your reward. Thank you, Mom, for your love, your patience, and your example.