Thomas James Schaefbauer, 84, Strasburg, ND, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, surrounded by family, at the Strasburg Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 12, at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Strasburg, with visitation starting at 9:30 am.

Visitation will be on Friday, May 11, from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm, at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Burial will be held following mass at the church cemetery.

Tom was born on October 18, 1933 to August and Anna (Dynan) Schaefbauer in Herreid, South Dakota.  He grew up on the farm in Herreid with his eight siblings, where he helped with the family chores, and enjoyed the rural farm living. He graduated from Herreid High School and enlisted in the United States Army. During the Korean War, Tom served two years in Germany as a Radar Technician. When he received an Honorable Discharge in 1956, he returned to Herreid where he met the Love of his life, Rosemary (Mattern).  They were united in marriage on June 9, 1958 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Strasburg, North Dakota.  Tom and Rosemary started their lives together on a farmstead south of Strasburg on the homestead where Rosemary grew up.  They proceeded to build a small grain farm, including dairy and beef cattle operations.  Always a humble and kind man, Tom took great pride in farming and working the land. He never complained when things were not going his way.

Tom was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus; he also spent some time serving on the FHA credit committee in the middle years of his farming career.  When Tom found some leisure time, he enjoyed bowling with his friends in the local bowling league. In his later years, he picked up golfing and loved spending time on the golf course with friends and family. He also enjoyed visiting with neighboring friends and families on the weekends.

Tom and Rosemary moved to their retirement home in Strasburg in 2001. Tom moved to the Strasburg Care Center in January of this year.

Tom is survived by his wife, Rosemary Schaefbauer; 7 children, Ken Schaefbauer of Denver, CO, Jim (Jackie) Schaefbauer of Fargo, ND, Steve (Judy) Schaefbauer of Bismarck, ND, Sheila (Mike) Vetter of Bismarck, Terry (Karen Ryberg) Schaefbauer of Baldwin, ND, Tommy (Shelley) Schaefbauer of Strasburg, and Rosie (Arnold) Vetter of Linton; 19 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 5 siblings, Nora (Tom) Hilt of Las Vegas, NV, John (Leona Albrecht) Schaefbauer of Mobridge, SD, Bill (Evie Sautner) Schaefbauer of Sioux Falls, SD, Bernadette Eckmann of Cedar City, UT; and Leo (Linda) Schaefbauer of Rapid City, SD.

He was preceded in death by his son, Patrick Schaefbauer; his parents; siblings, Dennis and Patrick (in infancy), Danny Schaefbauer, Julie Nelson, and Tim Schaefbauer; brothers-in-law, Gary Nelson and Dennis Eckmann; and sister-in-law, Becky Schaefbauer.