Veronica M Schaffer

Veronica Schaffer was born on January 16, 1928, in Iona, Minnesota the daughter of Raymond and Margaret (Koob) Arens. She was baptized and confirmed at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton and graduated Wheaton High School. After high school she worked at the Department Store in Wheaton as a bookkeeper.

On June 15, 1948 Veronica was united in marriage to Eugene “Pete” Schaffer at Ave Maria Catholic Church in Wheaton. After their marriage they farmed near Collis, Minnesota. In 1956, the couple moved to a farm in Leonardsville Township until their retirement.

Veronica was a hard worker. She was not afraid to get up on the tractor or milk the cows – if worked needed to be done she was a part of it. She also had a huge flower and vegetable garden and spent many hours taking care of it.

Besides farm work Veronica was very devoted to her churches she was apart of. She taught religion when the kids were young, repainted all the stations of the cross and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella.

In 1978, the couple semi-retired to Alexandria in the winter and then in the summer would return to Dumont to farm. In 1988 the couple retired to Alexandria and enjoyed traveling South in their RV in the winter.

Veronica and Pete enjoyed square dancing, being Santa & Mrs. Claus at the local nursing homes and bringing communion to shut ins and nursing home residents. She also enjoyed doing ceramics, bowling, making afghans and spending time with her grandchildren making smores by the campfire.

Veronica will be remembered as a good mom and grandma who was always fair and looked out for everyone.

Veronica died on Saturday, January 3, 2026. She is survived by her children all of Minnesota: Connie (Roger) Weinman of Coon Rapids, Pam (Lyle) Krieg of Frazee, Kevin (Chris) of Corcoran, Jennifer (Charles) Hellquist-Rice of Andover, Doug (Debra) of Millerville; 14 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; brother, Donald Arens.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene “Pete”; parents, son-in-law, John Hellquist.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home with a Daughters of Isabella Rosary at 4:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home.