Mary Lou (Nelson) Schaeffer, 90, of DeKalb, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Oak Crest Health Care Center in DeKalb, IL.

She was born on January 7, 1933, in Aurora, IL, the daughter of Harold and Bessie (Sexton) Nelson, growing up on the east side of Aurora during the great depression and WWII. She was voted East Aurora HS Homecoming Queen, and was also Aurora Christmas Parade Queen in 1949.

After graduating a year early from high school, Mary Lou attended NIU on scholarship from 1950-1954 where  she earned a teaching degree, going to teach at Bardwell Grade School in Aurora after graduating.  It was also at NIU that she met the love of her life, Norm.  They were married on June 13, 1955.  Over the next 4 years she gave birth to two bouncing baby boys, Brian and Mark, before moving to DeKalb in 1961.  She always believed in working when parental duties would allow, pursuing jobs in areas such as substitute teaching and retail until returning to the classroom full time at Hinckley in 1966.  She took a job with the DeKalb School District in 1968.  She’d always wished to be a nurse, so in 1980, she left teaching, completed a nursing degree at Kish College, and finished her working life as a RN.   She retired in 1988.  She enjoyed playing piano, sewing, reading, extensive travel, volunteering at the hospital, Meals on Wheels, church and other local organizations, and had a wonderful singing voice presenting solos for church choirs, plays, and for other productions.  She was also devoted to her family, three grandkids, Jessica, Zachary, and Erin, and two great grandkids, Otto and Emmie. 

She is survived by two sons Brian Schaeffer of DeKalb and Mark (Sue) Schaeffer of Hudson, WI; three grandchildren Jessica (Michael) Knutson, Zachary Schaeffer, and Erin (Nathan) Benham and two great grandchildren, Otto and Emmie Knutson.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Norman Schaeffer, her parents, Harold and Bessie Nelson, and her brothers, Wayne and Everett Nelson.

The memorial will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 615 North First Street, DeKalb, IL, on Saturday, January 13, 2024.  Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 to 11:30 and immediately followed by a celebration of Mary Lou's life at 11:30.

Interment of cremated remains will be at a later date at Oak Mound Cemetery, Somonauk, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Oak Crest Health Center, Hydrocephalus Association, Meals on Wheels, or Kishwaukee Hospital in care of Anderson Funeral Home PO Box 605, DeKalb, IL 60115.