Don R. Schaefer peacefully passed into eternal life on April 22, 2026, just days before his 88th birthday. He lived a full and vibrant life, defined by his devotion to family, his deep Catholic faith, and his unwavering enthusiasm for everything he pursued. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.
Don was born in Carroll, Iowa, the only son of Adam and Valeria Schaefer. He attended St. Bernard’s Grade School and High School in the small town of Breda, Iowa. Growing up in Breda, Don discovered many of the passions that would stay with him throughout his life, including spending time with family, fishing, hunting, and basketball. It was also there that he met his best friend, Paul Fee, beginning a friendship that would last a lifetime.
Don left Breda to attend Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he earned a degree in Business Administration. One weekend while home for a visit, Don attended a dance in Carroll, Iowa. That night would change his life. He met Mary Jeanene Rupp, the love of his life. Don and Jean were married for 63 years and built a life together centered on faith, family, and deep devotion to one another. Together in Omaha, they raised three children: a daughter, Lisa, and two sons, Jeff and Brian.
As a father, Don was a loving presence who instilled in his children strong values, a positive outlook on life, and a work ethic that remains with them to this day. He eagerly attended Lisa’s dance recitals and plays, and even performed in a madrigal dinner with her. He became a legendary coach on the Omaha grade-school basketball scene while coaching Jeff and Brian, creating memories and lessons that extended far beyond the court.
After a short time working in banking at United States National Bank, Don found his calling in financial services. He became a Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant with New York Life Insurance Company. His career with New York Life spanned 55 years, and for much of that time he was recognized as one of the top agents in the country. He was consistently asked to speak at company and industry meetings nationwide. As their kids grew older, Jean became an integral part of the operation in Don's office. While the awards and accolades were many, what meant most to Don was the opportunity to help people — especially those facing the loss of a loved one. He provided a steady hand, thoughtful guidance, and genuine care to countless people during some of life’s most difficult moments. Through his work, Don and Jean also formed many cherished friendships and were able to travel the world together on recognition trips earned through his success.
His Catholic faith was a cornerstone of his life. Don attended daily Mass for many years, and continually deepened his faith through study and reflection. He was involved with the volunteering at Mary Our Queen Church, and in his later years, St. Stephen the Martyr. He served on the Archbishop's Committee for Development and was very active in the Serra Club, whose mission is to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life. He and Jean were recipients of the Serran of the Year Award in 2019.
The passions Don developed in his early years remained constants throughout his life. He continued to hunt and fish, always happiest outdoors. He was a Creighton basketball “Jaybacker” for 57 years, known for his enthusiastic cheering and equally enthusiastic critiques of referees. He truly bled Creighton blue. In retirement, Don and Jean spent summers at their cabin on Lake Miltona in Minnesota, where they golfed, hosted family and friends, and where Don could fish to his heart’s content.
Don was a proud and loving grandfather to his nine grandchildren. One of his most prized possessions was an “80 Reasons We Love Grandpa” piece of artwork that his children and grandchildren gave him for his 80th birthday. It received prominent placement everywhere he lived, including his skilled nursing room, when his health was failing.
Later in life, Don and Jean moved from Omaha to a retirement community in Olathe, Kansas, to be closer to their children. While they deeply missed their friends and neighbors in Omaha, they found a wonderful new community and continued to build meaningful relationships.
Don never did anything halfway; he was “all in” in everything he pursued. Whether it was his marriage, his family, his career, coaching, hunting, fishing, basketball, golf, his love of food (and critiquing it), or his ever-present positive outlook, he approached life with energy, conviction, and joy. Don gave his all to this life and those who knew him were better for it. His spirit will live on in the family he raised, the friendships he cherished, and the many lives he touched along the way.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Valeria, and grandson, Nathaniel Closen. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and his children: Lisa and her husband Jay Arnold, Jeff and his wife Michon, Brian and his wife Megan, and grandchildren: Jacob (McKenna) Schaefer, John Schaefer, Ellie Closen, Ryan (Annie) Schaefer, Sarah Schaefer, Riley Schaefer, Kate Schaefer and Michael Schaefer.
Services will be held on May 13 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 13615 West 92nd Street, Lenexa, Kansas. Rosary will begin at 9:15 AM, visitation at 9:30, funeral mass is at 10:30 with a luncheon following. Contributions may be made to the West Omaha Serra Club: https://serrawestomaha.org/donate/