Mary Beatrice “Bea” (Carmichael) Schaffer

Mary Beatrice “Bea” (Carmichael) Schaffer, 97, died November 21, 2015 at Manor of the Plains, Dodge City . She was born on March 4, 1918 in Ford County, daughter of Clarence Lee and Alice Mabel (AuBuchon) Carmichael. 

Bea grew up on the family farm north of Dodge City and graduated from Dodge City High School. She attained her nursing degree and was a nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital of Dodge City. Bea entered the U.S. Army and was a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps at Walter Reed Army Hospital and later served in Liverpool, England. Bea married John G. Schaffer on February 4, 1948 in Dodge City. She enjoyed being a farm wife, private duty nursing, china painting, meeting with retired nurses and especially loved being with family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. . 

She was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Altar Society and volunteered for the American Red Cross all of Dodge City. 

Bea is survived by three sons, Philip Schaffer and wife Sandy, Ripon, Wisconsin, Ronald Schaffer and wife Jeanie and Tom Schaffer and wife Lori both of Dodge City; a daughter, Mary Ruth Newell and husband Gary, Norman, Oklahoma; a sister, Martha Vogel, Wright; 11 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, John Schaffer, on April 30, 2007 and a son David Lee Schaffer. 

Funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dodge City, on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Anneesh Parappanattu and Rev. Robert A. Schremmer as Celebrants. A Vigil Service will be at 7:00 P.M. November 24, 2015 at Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Rev. Wesley Schawe officiating. Burial will follow after the Funeral Mass at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City with military graveside rites by Howard Gotschall Post #1714, V.F.W. and KSARNG Honor Guards. Visitation will be from Noon to 5:00 P.M. Tuesday at Swaim Funeral Home, Tuesday, November 24, 2015. Memorials are suggested to Cancer Center of Kansas in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.