Anita the Artist

Telegraph Herald

Anita O. Schaefer

POTOSI, Wis. -- Anita Odessa (Roesch) Schaefer, 92, of Potosi, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, at ManorCare Health Services, Dubuque.

Private family memorial services were held. There will be a gathering in her memory this summer in Potosi. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, Dubuque, is in charge of arrangements.  She was born on Sept. 8, 1918, in Boice Creek, daughter of Lake and Edna (Thomas) Roesch. She was the youngest of three children.



Lft to rgt: Best Man Ralph May,
 Husband Victor Harold Schaefer
Wife Anita Odessa Roesch
Maid of Honor Jen May 



She married Victor Schaefer on May 14, 1937, in Chicago. They soon moved back to Lancaster, and then in 1941, to her family's home in Potosi; he preceded her in death in 2005. Together they raised four children Anita's life centered on family, friends, art, antiques and the Potosi community. She loved gatherings of family and friends, hosting many of them at her home, the last being the family Christmas gathering in January 2008. That spring she broke her hip and moved to Sunset Park Place, Dubuque.

She was an active member of St. Andrew's Altar Sodality for many years, serving as president at one time.  Known for her artistic talent, Anita joined the Lancaster Art Club in the early 1950s. With the support of her husband and children, she participated in many art shows and university art classes, won many awards and made numerous friends.

Anita displays her paintings

Secondary to her art, Anita spent considerable time collecting and restoring Roesch and Schaefer family antique furniture. With the many other antiques she collected, Anita furnished the three-generation Thomas/Roesch/Schaefer family home. Card clubs and reading were her favorite entertainments. She enjoyed euchre games with family, winning games with her usual mischievous smile during her final weeks at ManorCare.

Surviving are her four children, John "Dick" (Ruth), of Potosi, Beth (Norman) Schultz, of Weston, Roger (Celeste), of Shreveport, La., and Michelle (Richard) Smith, of Dubuque; 15 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

She also was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Edward Kruser Jr., in 1989; a sister, Gwendolyn Kaltenbach; and a brother, Keith Roesch.

Her family is left strong in their appreciation of her love and support through the years. Her sense of family bonds and memories will serve as a lasting memorial.