Allen R. Schaeffer, 81, of Rapid City, S.D., passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Allen was born on Aug. 31, 1928, in Nielsville to Earl and Clara (Mjolsness) Schaeffer. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1945 to 1948. On Nov. 10, 1959, Allen was united in marriage to Mary Smith in West Virginia. Also in that year, Allen joined the U.S. Army and would go on to serve a distinguished military career retiring from active duty in 1977. During their time in

the Army, Allen and Mary lived at various Army posts throughout the U.S. and overseas. Allen and his family lived in Albert Lea for 10 years after his retiring from the Army. He worked at Morris Furniture for a while before they moved to Rapid City, S.D. Allen enjoyed geneology and was a member of the VFW.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, of Rapid City, S.D.; four sons: Ronald Schaeffer and Frederick Schaeffer of Rapid City, Donovan Schaeffer of Morton, Wash., and Arnold Schaeffer of Yankton, S.D.; one daugther, Sandra Schaeffer of Rapid City; three sisters: Dolores Feeley of Minnesota, Lorraine Haley of California and Joyce Embree of Minnesota; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Lois Ferreri.