Rudolph "Rudy" Schaff Jr.

Rudolph "Rudy" H. Schaff Jr., 75, of rural Ethel, MO passed away Thursday, April 14, 2011, at his home.

He was born March 14, 1936 in Batesville, AK, the son of Rudolph Herbert and Pauline Laura (McNett) Schaff Sr. On May 6, 1956 in Waverly, IA he was united in marriage to Beverly Hoins who survives.

Also surviving are nine children, Thea Hernandez and husband Arturo of Sandwich, IL, Tamara Schumacher and husband William of St. Louis, MO, Rudy Schaff and wife Julie of Westgate, IA, Rachel Schaff of Marlborough, MA, John Schaff and wife Leandra of Litchfield, IL, Andrew Schaff and wife Noel of Chai Yi, Taiwan, Heidi Doering and husband Michael of Pflugerville, TX, Stephanie Schaff of Bellevue, NE, and Katrina Kumfer and husband Justin of Tokyo, Japan; one brother, Richard Schaff and wife Lona of Vancouver, WA; thirteen grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Barbara Adam.

He received his primary education in Texas and Oklahoma. Rudy attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and completed his Associate Degree of Divinity at Concordia College in Mequon, WI in 1986. He served a a lay missionary in Sri Lanka, Bangledesh, and India for five years. He was ordained into pastoral ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. For twenty-two years he served the Zion Lutheran Church in Crookston, NE and the Grace Lutheran Church in Merriman, NE. He served his country in the United States Air Force and the Air Force Reserve for six years. Rudy retired to the Ethel, MO community. Though retired, he never tired of spreading the Word of the Lord.

Rudy enjoyed many activities, including hunting, beekeeping, crafts, and music. He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Kirksville, MO.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 21, 2011 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Crookston, NE with burial to follow in the German Valley Cemetery in Cherry County, NE. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2011 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Kirksville, MO.