Kathleen “Kaye” Ann Schaefer, 103, of Waterloo, died Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer.

She was born March 14, 1921, on her family’s farm in rural Buckingham, the daughter of Lewis C. and Helen (McGarvey) Klein. She graduated from St. Mary of Mt. Carmel High School.

Kaye married Ferdinand “Fritz” Schaefer on September 12, 1942, at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Eagle Center; Fritz preceded her in death on October 3, 1989.

She worked for the Waterloo Knights of Columbus Council #700 for 10 years and later in the stock room at JC Penney’s for several years, retiring in 1985.

Kaye was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Waterloo, and Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her three children, Gene (Carla) Schaefer of Gilbert, Phil (Pam) Schaefer of Asbury, and Sue (Pat) McLean of Traer; 13 grandchildren, Randy (Joy) White, Greg (Veronica) White, Kim Stone, Erin (Wes) Hays, Lindsey Schaefer, Ashley (Kenton) Hines, Chelsey Schaefer, Melissa (Shawn Ruff) Schaefer, Dan (Kristin) Schaefer, Emily (Ross) Stalzer, Shane (Bailey) Krafka, Ryan McLean, and Rylee McLean; 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Wilma “Billie” Hildman Gilbert; and a son-in-law, Larry White, both of Waterloo.

Kaye was preceded in death by her parents and husband; a daughter, Alice White; six sisters, Margaret Edsill, Alice Klein, Monica Loftus, Dorothy Kressig, and Rosemary Schaefer; two brothers, Dan and Pat Klein; and a great-granddaughter, Piper Schaefer.

Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 am, Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Waterloo, with burial at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Eagle Center. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, with a 4:00 p.m. Catholic Daughters of the Americas rosary and a 6:30 p.m. vigil service. Livestreams of both the rosary and vigil service will be available on Kaye’s obituary page of the Locke Funeral Services website. Memorials may be directed to the church or Cedar Valley Hospice. Condolences may be left at www.LockeFuneralServices.com. Locke at Tower Park is assisting the family, 319-233-3146.

The family wishes to express a special thanks to Sunrise Care Center of Traer for their kind care for Kaye.