Darleen Mae Schaefer, 99, Linn, passed away on Feb. 18, 2026, at Oak Tree Villas in Jefferson City.
She was born Nov. 15,1926, to the late Joseph and Clara (Pearon) Pointer in Belle.
She graduated from Indian Creek grade school, a one-room school in the Belle area in 1939, and from Belle High School in 1943.
Darleen was united in marriage to the love of her life, W.G. “Buck” Schaefer on Sept. 29, 1948, at St. George Church in Linn.
She was employed at Linn Manufacturing Co. as a secretary for 10 years until its closing and then for the State of Missouri Social Services as a personnel clerk for 16 years until her retirement in 1988.
Darleen was a parishioner at St. George Church and a life member of VFW Post 4756 Ladies Auxiliary. She was an active member in both until mobility issues limited the number of pies she could cut, chicken she could fry and loaves of zucchini bread she could bake. For many years Darleen volunteered at the Good Shepherd food pantry.
She and Buck belonged to the Osage Trail Riders and enjoyed many trail rides around the state with their horses.
Darleen played the guitar in her younger years until arthritis made it impossible.
After her retirement, she and Buck spent six months each year in Florida. She loved to travel and made many trips to Germany, France, Canada, Austria, Switzerland and Greece. Darleen loved to fish and from Alaska to Florida she never passed up an opportunity to throw a line in the water.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Buck; parents, Joseph and Clara; son, Randy; daughter, Debbie; sons-in-law, Dick Helmig and Jerry Shockley; granddaughter, Samantha Schaefer; and great-granddaughter, Morgan Johnson.
Darleen is survived by daughters, Vickie Helmig of Hoschton, Ga. and Charlotte Belser and husband Aaron of Laughlin, Nev.; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 29 great-great-grandchildren; three great-great-great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Aaron Belser; and daughter-in-law, Margaret Schaefer.
Visitation will be held from 9 until 11 a. m., Saturday, Feb. 28, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St George Catholic Church in Linn, with Fr. Colin Franklin officiating.
Interment will be in the St George Parish Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to either Good Shepherd Food Pantry, P.O. Box 763, Linn, Osage County Memorial VFW Auxiliary 4756, P.O. Box 34, Linn or St. George Catholic Church, 613 East Main Street, Linn.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
