A Celebration of Life Visitation to honor the life and legacy of Donald "Tom" Schaffer, age 95, of Windom, will be held at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom on Friday, October 17th from 2:00-5:00 PM. A private family burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Windom with full military honors.

Donald "Tom" Joseph Schaffer was born on February 20, 1930, in Windom, Minnesota, to Clarence and Margaret (Savage) Schaffer. He attended Windom High School and graduated in the class of 1948. After high school, Tom served in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Hawaii during the Korean Conflict. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Windom and began his lifelong work as a farmer.

On April 28, 1962, Tom married Frances Posivio. The couple was blessed with five children, Karen, Kenneth, James, Michael and Scott. Tom could strike up a conversation with almost anyone and especially enjoyed talking about his time in the Army. He loved farm talk at the coffee shop with friends and spent many enjoyable hours hunting and fishing. He also liked driving the countryside to count deer, though now and then, he'd have the misfortune of hitting one instead.

In 2021, Tom moved off the farm and became a resident at Mikkelsen Manor in Windom until he moved to Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial in 2024. He passed away there peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Tom is survived by his loving family, Karen (Darrell) Wilking of Tabor, SD, Kenneth Schaffer of Windom, James Schaffer of Cottage Grove, WI, Michael Schaffer of Sheldon, IA, Scott (Pam Briggs) Schaffer of St. Louis Park; seven grandchildren, Shenandoah (Tom) Massman, Shelby Wilking, Chelsie Wilking, Hailee Schaffer, Cole Schaffer, Jacob Schaffer and Benjamin Schaffer; four great-grandchildren, Edward, Alexandra, Harley and Ryann; brothers, Les and Jack Schaffer; and other relatives and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Frances Schaffer; five siblings, Emily Axford, Mary Choiniere, Katherine Soleta, Kermit Schaffer, and infant sister Ellen Schaffer.

Blessed be the memory of Tom Schaffer.