Ralph Edward Schaefer, 70

Sept. 17, 1945 — Nov. 22, 2015

Ralph Edward Schaefer, youngest child of Cyril Joseph Schaefer and Julia Caroline Day Schaefer, was born Sept. 17, 1945, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

His early years were on the family dairy farm, which is now a popular golf course on the north side of the city. It was here that he developed his love of animals and learned the excellent work ethic which served him well throughout his life.

After the loss of his mother when he was 4, he was raised by a loving father, his teenage sister, Helen and his brother, Bob. Ralph reflected on the dinners the family would have every Sunday at their grandparents home in Coeur d’Alene. He talked about the fun times they would have and the great food his grandmother prepared.

Ralph loved to play Pinochle and spent many hours doing that at the Mica Flats Grange Hall. He said the farmers didn’t much appreciate “the kid” always winning. He helped remodel the grange hall from lumber repurposed from older buildings. He learned wood working skills and found he had a talent for working with wood. Those skills came in handy when he constructed a life-size Santa sleigh with reindeer to add to the Christmas display.

It was probably the love of Pinochle that led him into the world of accounting and becoming a Certified Public Accountant. Ralph worked his way through school graduating from the University of Idaho with his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, then sat for — and earned — the CPA accreditation.

He lived in Moscow during the week, driving back to Coeur d’Alene on weekends to work for the road department where he learned to drive and operate large equipment other than the farm equipment he was used to operating.

After graduation, the Vietnam war was escalating, Ralph enlisted in the Army Reserves where he served as Company Clerk. Upon his discharge, he began working for a large CPA firm. He was offered a teaching position at Kidman College where he stayed two years. In 1976, he hung out his shingle and opened Ralph E. Schaefer CPA.

From those early days until today, Ralph continued his “hobby” of farming. Many of the neighborhoods in Coeur d’Alene and Spokane Valley were once hay fields that were cut and baled by Ralph and his kids. He taught his children the value of work by his example and by letting them participate in the haying. They often talk about the fun times and adventures while working with him.

There was a tender place in Ralph’s heart for animals which explains the goats, sheep, cows and of course, horses he had over the years. He loved to share the stories of getting the different animals to and from the Rockford Fair and the Spokane County Fair, where they would load up on trophies. He was proud of his children and the work they put forth in preparing their animals for showing.

Several of his army buddies were LDS. They often invited him to go to church with them and he did on a few occasions. He liked the feeling he had when there. As his family began, he knew he wanted to find a church to attend. He remembered the feeling he had earlier so he sought out the church. It turned out that he lived on the border of two congregations, or wards, and each thought the other would reach out to him. That did not happen. Ralph, tired of waiting for them to decide which ward he should attend, called the Mission office and asked if anyone could come to their home. It took only an hour or so for the knock on his door. Ralph was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Feb. 21, 1976.

He held many positions within the church over the years. His latest position was Assistant Stake Clerk/Financing for the Spokane East Stake.

In 1992, Ralph was elected Fire Commissioner for District 8, a position he held until 2003.

He met Linda in December 2004 and they were married in May 2005 in Fresno, Calif. To his family of six children, he added a wife, two more sons, at that time five grandchildren, a live in mother-in-law and a cat!

In 2006, Ralph became a volunteer at the Spokane Temple and a year later became an ordinance worker. He and Linda served in the Wednesday morning shift which began at 5 a.m. They continued that schedule until this year when they transferred to the Wednesday evening shift. Oh how Ralph loved the temple. He volunteered in three wards to be the coordinator arranging groups to attend.

In the past few years, Ralph and Linda traveled quite a bit. Ralph developed a love of cruises. He found the self-serve ice cream machine on every ship. Ice cream was his favorite dessert. It would bring back memories of when his dad would take him, Helen and Bob out for ice cream.

Words to describe Ralph would be integrity, hardworking, humble, tender, which was protected by his humor, and loyalty. While not shy, he was often reserved, listening to others. He felt he wasn’t going to change anyone’s opinion or force his on them. He was quick to smile and had an infectious chuckle.

Ralph had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He loved his Savior and his Father in Heaven. He was becoming immersed in genealogy work and had an interest in history.

What a joyous reunion Ralph and his mother must be having since he had so little time with her in the mortal life.

Ralph touched many lives and we are better for that association.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind his wife, Linda; six children, Randolph, Timothy, Christen, Jody, Ashley and Brian; two stepsons Stephen and Phillip; and 17 grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at the LDS East Stake Center, 13608 E. 40th Ave., Spokane Valley, Wash., with a viewing at noon. Bell Tower Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and you may visit his online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.