Manuscripts by Subject - Family / Local History - #10624

Title: Raymond and Gertrude Schaefer Family Film Collection

Dates: 1938-1967

Collection Number: 10624

Quantity: 2.5 feet

Abstract: Consists of 8mm black and white and color reels of family films.  Film includes vacations to grandparents’ farms, the Badlands, and historic sites around North Dakota. Family holidays such as Christmas, Easter, birthdays, and first Communions are also captured in the film.  Contains film from Bismarck and Mandan in the forties, fifties, and sixties. Captures World War II on the home front including the send off of a soldier and a parade in Bismarck to celebrate the ending of the war.

Provenance: The State Historical Society of North Dakota received the Schaefer Family Film Collection from Raymond and Gertrude Schaefer on May 19, 1993.  

Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.

Copyrights: Copyrights to this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code or an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.

Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
From obituary in the Bismarck Tribune, December 17, 1995

Raymond A. Schaefer, 92, St. Vincent’s Nursing Home, died December 16, 1995 in the nursing home. 

Raymond was born December 21, 1902 in St. Martin, Minnesota, the son of Casper and Matilda Schaefer. He moved to North Dakota in 1909 with his family, who were original homesteaders in Slope County. He graduated from high school in 1924 and went to Wahpeton State School of Science. He graduated with an associate degree in electrical engineering. Raymond married Gertrude Wanzek in 1933. He worked for Montana-Dakota Utilities and was chief engineer prior to retiring in 1968. His love of music and dance was evident throughout his life. He and his wife taught square dancing in Bismarck for 46 years. He also taught ballroom dancing for many years.  In 1992, he wrote and published his book of memoirs, “In Those Days We Danced til Dawn.” He was the fourth recipient of the Gold Award given by Northwest Bank in 1980.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Eagles, and United Commercial Travelers.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gertrude; two daughters and sons-in-law, Rosemary Klinkhammer, Lafayette, California, Mary Pat and Tom Severin, Bismarck and John Raffaelle, Glen Carbon, Illinois; three sons and daughters-in-law, Dick and Mary, Fargo, Mike and Mary, Orangevale, California, and Tom and Bernadette, Lancaster, Wisconsin; one brother Sylvester, St. Paul, Minnesota; and 22 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; one sister; his daughter, Jackie Raffaelle; and one son-in-law, Paul Klinkhammer.

From obituary in the Bismarck Tribune, September 23, 2000

Gertrude W. Schaefer, 89, Bismarck, died September 16, 2000 in Sioux City, Iowa, care center. 

Gert was born October 31, 1910 in Windsor, the daughter of August and Anna (Schultz) Wanzek. She attended St. John’s Academy in Jamestown, graduating as valedictorian at age 16.  She attended St. Alexius School of Nursing and obtained her R.N. in 1932.

She worked from Drs. Henderson, Goughnor, and Orr at Capital City Clinic, which later became Q & R Clinic. She also was a staff nurse at St. Alexius in the psychiatric department for 12 years and was a staff nurse at St. Vincent’s.

Gert married Raymond Schaefer in 1933, and they had six children. She taught square dancing with him in Bismarck for 46 years.

Gert was a member of Church of St. Mary’s, St. Mary’s Altar Society, and Catholic Daughters for almost 70 years.

Gert is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Ree Klinkhammer, Lafayette, California, Mary Pat and Tom Severin, Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, and John Raffaelle, Glen Carbon, Illinois; three sons and daughters-in-law, Dick and Mary, Fargo, Mike and Mary, Orangevale, California and Tom and Bernadette, Lancaster, Wisconsin; 22 grandchildren; and three brothers, Joe Wanzek, Preston, Iowa, Phil Wanzek, Surprise, Arizona, and Robert Wanzek, Chicago.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray; one daughter, Jackie Raffaelle; two brothers; five sisters; and one son-in-law, Paul Klinkhammer.

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