Marguerite Schaffner

Marguerite Dorothy Phelan, best known as Marge, was born August 17, 1923 in Fargo, North Dakota, where she lived the greater part of her life. She attended Emerson Smith Elementary School for two years and then transferred to St. Anthony’s Parochial School through the eighth grade. She attended ninth grade at Agassiz Public Junior High School and graduated from Fargo Central High School in the spring of 1941. Marge attended Interstate Business College. Following completion of her education, she was a legal secretary for the law firm of Shure & Shure and for Harry Mowry, all before working for the Burroghs Adding Machine Company. She followed this position by working in the Agricultural Economics Department and the Soils Department at North Dakota Agricultural College, later to become North Dakota State University, Fargo. While in the Agricultural Economics Department, Marge met LeRoy W. Schaffner and they were married November 13, 1948 at New Rockford, North Dakota. Marge and LeRoy were the parents of two sons, Dr. David L. Schaffner, born September 17, 1949; and Mark Steven Schaffner, born June 28, 1952. David loved music and was expert on the accordion, clarinet and classical guitar. He became a dentist and had his own practice in Arvada, Colorado, and later became a Dental Pathologist on the staff of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta. Following that, he became a Medical Doctor and specialized in Medical Pathology. He worked on the staff of Baylor University Medical Center until his death in 1996 at age 46. At Baylor, he was Director of Medical Pathology. Mark’s interests were also in music, drama and debate. He received his BA degree from the University of North Dakota and his law degree from the University of Iowa Law School at Iowa City, Iowa. He now has his own practice in Chicago, Illinois. Marge and LeRoy were avid square dancers and supported all the Fargo/Moorhead clubs. This was a good activity for them as they met many good friends. They acted as Directors for the SE District of ND to the State Square Dance Federation and attended many special dances and meetings. They were promotional chairpersons for the F-M Square and Round Dance Federation. Marge also learned to clog in Arizona. LeRoy retired from NDSU in 1984 and they spent 16 winters in Mesa, Arizona, where they were joined with square dancers from North Dakota and Minnesota. When it became difficult to dance, the dancers formed a social group which met the first Sunday of each month in the winter for a potluck dinner and games. After moving to Arizona, Marge joined many hobby groups and learned to do many artistic things like make SW necklaces, hand colored Easter eggs, zipper art, pencil sketching, calligraphy, scratch art and paper tole. Marge also made four or five Kachina dolls. After LeRoy died on November 6, 1999, Marge spent most of her spare time serving at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Mesa, where she was an Associate member during the winter months. In the summer, she served in whatever capacity she was able at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, her home church. When she could no longer travel to Arizona, Marge devoted as much time and energy as she could to her home church, Pontoppidan, where she was a member for over 50 years. Marguerite died Thursday, August 25, 2011, at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND. She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy; her oldest son, Dr. David L. Schaffner; her parents, John and Lillian Phelan; and her brother, John “Jack” Phelan. She is survived by her youngest son, Mark Schaffner; and by her niece and two nephews and their children. Memorials preferred to Pontoppidan Lutheran Church – 309 4th St. N. Fargo, ND, 58102 Memorial Service: Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at 11:00 AM, at Pontopiddan Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo,