The Rev. Horst Edmund Erich Schafer was born on March 8, 1939, in Milwaukee, WI, the son of Karl F. Schafer and his wife Anna Marie Böttger Schafer. Karl worked at Karl Ratzsch’s restaurant, and Anna was a Lutheran Deaconess (nurse). On Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, he was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace by the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at Grace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. During World War II, he was interned with his mother along with several other German immigrants. (He is featured in the movie “Children of Internment.”) He affirmed his baptismal vows by the rite of confirmation at Mt. Lebanon Lutheran Church in Milwaukee on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 1953. He attended Mt. Lebanon Lutheran School for his elementary education, and his high school years were spent at Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, from which he graduated in 1957. He continued his education at Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. He later attended Concordia Teachers College at River Forest, Illinois, where he obtained his MA degree in 1971. The Lord later led him to enroll at Concordia Theological Seminary at Fort Wayne, Indiana, from which he graduated with an MA degree in Theology in 1987.
Pastor Schafer began his service to the church as a Lutheran parochial schoolteacher in 1960. He served the following parishes: Friedens Lutheran Church in Kenosha, WI; First Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin; St. John’s Lutheran Church in West Bend, Wisconsin; and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marysville, Ohio. Rev. Schafer was an accomplished organist, and he used that talent in many of these congregations.
He was ordained into the pastoral ministry on November 27, 1988. He served the following parishes and social agencies of the Church as a Pastor: Immanuel Lutheran Church in Logan, Iowa; Martin Luther Homes of Iowa in Logan; and Ascension Lutheran Church in Marianna, Florida.
After his retirement, he was a member of Benediction Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI. There, he served as the mentor for Rev. Moua Vang in the EIIT program from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He did weekly services at several nursing homes and faithfully served several times at the Lutheran Home when the chaplain was called to military service.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister. In his infinite wisdom, God called Edmund out of this life to glory on April 10, 2026, at the age of 87 years. He is survived by numerous cousins in Germany. The service of Christian burial will be on Friday, April 17, at Benediction Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with Pastor Don Hougard officiating. Visiting is from 10:00-11:00 with the service of Christian burial at 11:00. Edmund’s mortal remains will be laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to await the resurrection of the just to everlasting life. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual life shine upon him in glory. “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)
