Ronnie Lester Schaper, 56, of Bricelyn, died Monday, July 28, 2008, at his home in Bricelyn. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at at North Blue Earth Lutheran Church in Brush Creek Township, Faribault County. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Bricelyn and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. The Revs. Ed Nieman and Patricia Hinkie will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery, Brush Creek Township, Faribault County.
Ronnie Lester Schaper was born Feb. 25, 1952, the son of Theron Lester “Skip” and Betty Arline (Udstuen) Schaper in Blue Earth. Ronnie was baptized in 1952 by the Rev. H.K. Narium and confirmed in 1967 by the Rev. Hefty in North Blue Earth Lutheran Church, where he was a life-long member. Ronnie attended Bricelyn High School, graduating in 1970. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 10, 1970. He served in Vietnam and worked in the agent orange. He was honorably discharged March 14, 1973. After returning home, he worked for the railroad and the elevator. On Sept. 7, 1996, he was united in marriage to Julie Beth Porter in Worth County, Iowa, and had one son, Chad. Ron farmed in the Frost and Bricelyn areas, and enjoyed living on his farm near Brush Creek. He loved working outdoors, gardening and motorcycling.
Ronnie is survived by his wife, Julie of Bricelyn; son Chad of Clarks Grove; mother: Betty Schaper of Bricelyn; one brother: Roger (wife Joyce) Schaper of Bricleyn; three sisters: Loretta (husband David) Adix of Alden, Lois (husband Steven) Phyillaier of Quarryville, Pa., and Sandy (husband Scott) Breberg of Apple Valley; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and relatives on Julie’s side.
He was preceded in death by his father in 2004.