Dorothy Mae (Vellek) Schaefer was born in Blaha, SD on June 2, 1925 to parents Ralph C. and Helen A. (Mach) Vellek. She grew up in the Tyndall, SD area. Dorothy attended rural grade school and graduated from Tyndall High School in 1942.

She attended summer session at Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, SD. In the fall, she enrolled at Southern State Normal College in Springfield, SD where she was active in Dramatics and was a member of Delta Psi Omega sorority. She graduated in 1946 and then taught in the one-room Country school near Tyndall, SD. Dorothy also worked as secretary and bookkeeper for Consumers Supply Company.
On Feb.17, 1947at St. Leos Parish in Tyndall, Dorothy married Norman Schaefer of Tripp, SD. They moved to rural Centerville, SD in 1948. When Norman was afflicted with severe Rheumatoid arthritis they moved
into Centerville.

Dorothy was a member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church where she was very active in the Altar Society, holding all officer positions. She also taught Catechism for Many years. She was active and held offices in the Centerville PTA. Dorothy and Norman were very active in Community affairs.
Dorothy worked part-time at the Hanson and Schaefer Insurance business with her husband Norm, who owned the business. After Norm retired in 1988, they moved to Green Valley, AZ. Dorothy was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, and was active in the Ladies Guild.
Her beloved husband, Norman passed away in November 1999. In 2001, her daughter Jan moved to Green Valley, AZ to help Dorothy.

Dorothy was an avid gardener & canned the bountiful harvest of her vegetables. She had a beautiful flower garden in Centerville. She was an excellent seamstress and crafter, a lover of poetry and always was learning.
AZ presented a challenge to Dorothy, the gardener, but she continued the veggies and the flowers. She especially missed the Lilies of the Valley & fragrant lilacs, peonies, and tulips of South Dakota.

Having gratefully shared in her life, her survivors are her daughter Jan Schaefer, of Green Valley, AZ, her son, Dr. Greg Schaefer and his wife Pam (Lewis) Schaefer of Nampa, Idaho, Grandson Matt of Las Vegas NV, Grandson Brandon and his wife, Theresa, and 2 Great-Grand Daughters, Jillian and Natalie. Brother Dr. Don Vellek and wife Ita of Atlanta, Georgia,
Brother Leonard Vellek, of Hot Springs, SD and special Sister-in-Law Lucille (Schaefer) Loudenberg of Mitchell, SD, Sister-in-Law Irene Schaefer of Tripp, SD., several special nieces and nephews and families. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the family.

A funeral mass will be held 10:00AM, Saturday, March12 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Centerville with visitation one hour prior to services at the church.