Kenneth Rene Schaefer was born January 15, 1951 in Valentine to Clement Schaefer and Isabel (Canet) Schaefer. He passed from this life on Sept. 27, 2021 in Sioux Falls, SD.
He attended Valentine Public Schools and graduated from Valentine High School in 1969. He attended Kearney State College as a pre-med major and was accepted into medical school at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha, graduating in 1975 as a member of an accelerated Doctor of Medicine program.
He married Cindy Howell of Valentine. Their children are Todd and Amy. After living in Kearney and Omaha, the family made their home in several locations in the Phoenix area.
Following his graduation from UNMC, Ken entered a residency program in Internal Medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. Upon completion of his residency, he and a partner opened a private practice, Sun City Internal Medicine. His vision for growth resulted in the completion of the Arizona Medical Clinic, which included an in-house surgical center, of which he was especially proud. This large clinic in Peoria, AZ later became part of the Banner Health System. Ken eventually left his clinical practice to focus on his passion of designing and implementing the computerization of medical records to expedite and improve the quality of patient care. His expertise was instrumental in the medical informatics systems that continue to be in use today. During his retirement, he continued in a consultant position for Banner Health.
Ken married Paula Colbert and added her children, Jocelyn and Paul, to his family. Upon his retirement, Paula and he moved to her home town of Sioux Falls, SD.
Ken was never at a loss for hobbies and projects, which he pursued with great zeal! He earned his private pilot’s license while still in high school, and if something had wings, he loved to fly it, as evidenced by the soda bottle rockets he made for his great nephews on a recent visit. Ken and a fellow MD built their own house boat for their families to use on Lake Powell. He later owned a sailboat, spending time on the Pacific near San Diego. He was the master chef in the Schaefer family. Other interests included stained glass creations, beer crafting, furniture making, upholstery, and sewing large home decor items.
Left to grieve his death are his wife, Paula, and children Amy (Doug) Ramsey, Todd (Samantha) Schaefer, Jocelyn (Brad) DeVille, and Paul (Jackie) Colbert. He also leaves behind his sisters Betty (Roger) Quick, Shirley (Ron) Knudsen, and Janice (Steve) Satra, who will miss his big bear hugs. His grandchildren, Jake, Collin, and Abby Schaefer, Ena, Finn, and Ruby Ramsey, Hannah DeVille Becker, Harleigh and Preslie DeVille, and Buckley Colbert, will hold him in their memories, as will numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Clem and Isabel Schaefer, and Paula’s parents, Paul and Marilyn Buckley.
In keeping with Ken’s request, there will be no service. Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls has been entrusted with arrangements.
