Dixie R. Schaeffer, age 80, Weyauwega, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2019 at Rennes Rehabilitation and Health Center in Rhinelander after a lengthy illness.
Dixie was born July 17, 1938 in Iola, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of the late Alida Marjorie Grulhke (Pope) and Fred A. Grulhke. On May 13, 1967, she married Robert J. Schaeffer and lived in rural Weyauwega until she entered Rennes in 2015. Dixie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; daughter, Sandra; and sisters, Sharon, and Margie. She is survived by her sons: Jerry (Tanis) Schaeffer, Rhinelander, WI and his daughters, Courtney and Keena; John Schaeffer, Madison, and his children, Noah, Heather, and Ashley; Jim Schaeffer, Lexington, KY and his children, Tabitha, Tyler, Emily, Avery, and Katlin; Sandra’s children, Cody, Brooke, and Jason; her sisters, Patricia Gruelke Brown (Merle Brown, deceased), West Plains, MO. and her children Troy, Tracy, and Tara; Denver Algoe (deceased husband Gene) and her children Julie and James; her brother LaVane Gruelke, Hammond, IA and his children, Sheryl, Lance, Russell, and Butch; his late sister Sharon Swadish (Eddy) and children Eddy and Donna.
Dixie enjoyed playing cards, spending time with her cats and dogs, gardening, canning, cooking, watching wildlife, having fun with people and loved to laugh. Her unique laugh always made you smile. While a homemaker initially, she spent several years as home preservation leader in 4H. She later worked for Nelson’s Cottages in King, at the Party Shop in Weyauwega, and as a bar tender at the Midway tavern in Weyauwega.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Hildebrand – Russ Funeral Home, 24 East Davenport Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Deacon Ron Bosi will officiate the memorial service starting at 11:00 a.m. A lunch will follow the service at the funeral home. The Cline Hanson Dahlke Funeral Home in Weyauwega is serving the family.