Wilma D. Schaefer


Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino County, CA
Published in the "Big Bear Grizzly" January 9, 2006 2:56 PM PST
File uploaded 20 Jan 2006

This file is part of the California Tombstone Project
http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/california/californ.html


Wilma D. Schaefer 89, of Big Bear Lake, Calif. passed on Dec. 30, 2005, at Doctors' Hospital, 
San Bernardino, after an extended illness. Interment will be in Middle Amana, Iowa. Memorial 
services will be held at the Middle Amana Church and Big Bear Lake Civic Center at a future 
date. 

Wilma D. Dickel was born in Middle Amana on July 16, 1915, the daughter of Jacob and Louise 
(Schmieder) Dickel. She was educated in the Amana Society school system. She married Karl F. 
Schaefer in 1942, in Baltimore, MD, and moved to Hollywood, CA in 1946. Together, they managed 
real estate property there. He died in 1975. She moved to Big Bear Lake and managed the Happy 
Hills Resort, owned by Milton Hofert, until it closed in 1986. Together, Mr. Hofert and Wilma 
donated the property to the city of Big Bear Lake to be used for the new Civic Center and 
Performing Arts Center, built in 1987. Wilma was known for her hard working and dedicated manner, 
business acumen and sharp wit. She was a kind and compassionate person and a devout practitioner 
of the Christian Science faith. 

She is survived by sisters Marie Schaefer of Davenport, Iowa; 
Elizabeth Blechschmidt of East Amana, Iowa; brother Willard (Mary Lou) Dickel of Middle Amana, 
several nieces and nephews, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and a 
sister, Johanna Kellenberger. Memorial donations may be made to the First Church of Christ 
Scientist, P.O. Box 966, Big Bear Lake, CA, Amana Church in Middle Amana, IA or to a favorite 
charity. 

Condolences may be sent to the Schaefer family, P.O. Box 2250, Davenport, IA 52809