Lois A. Schaffer

Lois Ann Schaffer, 96, of O'Neill, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 at Parkside Manor in Stuart. 

Memorial visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 at the O'Neill Methodist Church in O'Neill.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 at the church in O'Neill.

Burial will be at a later date in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of the arrangements.

Lois was born on June 7, 1929 in Atkinson, to Guy and Ethel (Utley Harding) Cole. She grew up around the Emmet area and attended elementary school at Emmet Public Schools. Lois then attended O'Neill Public High School and graduated with the class of 1946. She played the baritone saxophone in the school band and later in the community band. Lois also had the honor of being named Aksarben Queen for a day.   

After high school, Lois attended one year of college at the Colorado Women's College in Denver, then went on to attend one year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she was member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. 

Lois was introduced to Larry Schaffer by her brother Bob. They later married on Oct. 23, 1948 in O'Neill. They made their home south of Emmet on the Schaffer Home Ranch. In 1957, the family moved to O'Neill. To this union two children were born Dewey and Elizabeth.

Lois was very active in her community; she was the very first female elected on the O'Neill School Board in the 1970's and also served as O'Neill's Mayor in 1984 until 1990. As mayor, she was instrumental in getting O'Neill recognized as a Tree City, USA. Lois donated the first memorial funds towards the vision of a General John O'Neill Statue. She unveiled the statue in 2022 along with her family at the Holt County Courthouse. She was on the Valley Hope Board and also the St. Anthony's Hospital Board.

Lois was a member of the O'Neill American Legion Auxiliary, PEO, Eastern Star and helped with the Rainbow Girls organization. She was very involved in the activities of both the O'Neill Presbyterian and Methodist Churches. Lois was an active member of the local Republican Party. She was a lifetime member of the Holt County Historical Society, which she attended through her 95th year. As one final act of service, Lois donated her body to science.

In her free time, Lois enjoyed painting, needle point and playing bridge with her friends. Lois enjoyed reading history and mystery books. When she was younger, she earned her pilot's license and occasionally took over for Larry on long trips, so he could take a quick nap. She loved to travel, especially to see her cousins in Arizona and she also enjoyed an extended vacation to England and Scotland with some friends. At 80 years old, she went to Greece to see a grandchild.

Lois is survived by her two children Dewey (Tricia) Schaffer of North Platte and Beth (Dennis) Chartier of Springfield; five grandchildren Emily (Guy) Smith, Cole (Sarah) Schaffer, Jacob (Stephanie) Schaffer, Hayley (Clay) Kobza and Ann (Frank) Chartier-Grisi; nine great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law Mike Smith of Gordon; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Larry Schaffer in 2017; and four siblings Zane Cole, George (Marilyn) Cole, Robert (Donna) Cole and Jeannie Smith.