Robert "Bob" Schaefer

Robert “Bob” Schaefer, age 79, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on October 25, 2025. A Liturgy of the Word to honor Bob will be held at 11:00 AM with a Time of Gathering from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake, MN. Deacon Terry Beer will preside. Bob will be laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, MN, at a later date.

A Livestream link will be available closer to the service date.

Robert “Bob” was born on March 13, 1946 in West Bend, WI to Armond and Lauretta (Chesak) Schaefer. Bob and his older sister, Helen, were raised in Kewaskum, WI, working with their dad on the Mink farm and playing down by Minnow Creek. Bob attended Catholic School growing up and graduated from Kewaskum High School. He then went on to pursue higher education from the University of Wisconsin- Stout, receiving a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology. He later received his master’s degree as well. Bob joined the West Bend, WI National Guard, and worked in the reserves honorably as a Sheet Metal Repairman.

In 1970, Bob’s life changed when he met Linda Hofmann through mutual friends at Stout. Less than a year later, they were united in marriage on August 15, 1970 in Crosby, MN, and began their life together. Soon after, Bob took a job in West Allis, WI, where he taught Junior High School. He and Linda then moved to Shakopee, MN, where he taught industrial technology for a number of years before working as a realtor for ten years with Edina Realty. To finish his career, Bob went back to teaching Junior High in the Prior Lake school district before his retirement in 2005.

Bob spent the rest of his years doing what he loved, being outdoors, woodworking, and working in his yard and on his classic cars. His biggest hobby was working on his 29 Model A, which he turned into a Hot Rod, and his ‘66 Ford LTD. He loved going to swap meets and meeting up with friends at car shows. He took two memorable trips to Bonneville Salt Flats with friends to watch racing.

Bob and Linda loved to travel as well, enjoying memorable times in Cape Cod, Glacier National Park, Florida, Colorado, Montana, Maine, Canada, and spending time up north at the family cabin. He cherished his many pets over the years, including three beloved dogs and five cats.

Bob was a wealth of knowledge, and loved to share his knowledge with others, striving to teach his students how to be problem solvers. He was always friendly and warm, easy to be around, and loved to have fun. He will be greatly missed.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Linda; sister, Helen (Ted) Haasch; cousin, Bill Albert; and many other loving family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Armond and Lauretta Schaefer.