Rose M. Schaeffler

Rose Marie Krone was born at City Hospital on May 14, 1932. She grew up at the German Protestant Orphan Home in north Saint Louis County where she was placed at age 3. She attended public schools, near the orphanage, and graduated from Normandy High School in 1950. Rose was a good student, wanted to be a teacher, and was accepted for admission to Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau. She attended college for one year.

In the summer of 1951, Rose was invited to a party in Saint Louis by Mrs. Scanlon, a guardian angel and friend to Rose, who knew her from before she entered the orphanage. At that party, Rose met Thomas Schaeffler. Tom asked Rose to join him at a Fourth of July barbecue at Holiday Valley Swimming Pool, near Kirkwood; it was their first date.

So, at age 19, Rose made the most important decision of her life. She decided not to return to college, chose to stay with Tom, instead. After Tom was drafted, Rose and Tom were married in Honolulu, District of Hawaii, at the Pearl Harbor Naval Chapel on November 22, 1952.

They worked together to build a good marriage. Rose was very close with Tom’s siblings and parents. The extended family took many camping trips together. Tom and Rose returned to Hawaii on vacations at least twice. 

Rose became a mother. She gave birth to nine children. Because of a blood disorder, four of Rose’s children were stillborn, and three of her babies lived only a few hours. Rose participated in a study of mothers with negative blood types, to help other women and children avoid the losses that she and Tom suffered. Her seven other children, Dale Thomas, Joseph Charles, Harold Martin, Mary Lauretta, Linda Ellen, Laura Eileen, and Edward Thomas, were important to Rose. She remembered them.

Two babies miraculously survived, Patricia in 1953 and Mary in 1961. Rose’s daughters eventually had 6 children, who between them blessed Rose with 14 great-grandchildren. Rose loved them all.

Rose was a 25-year employee of AT&T from 1965 through 1990. She and Tom became homeowners in 1982. After retirement from the telephone company, through the 1990s and a bit beyond, Rose worked at the information desk at St. Anthony’s Hospital and volunteered at the World Bird Sanctuary. Both of these activities were done with Tom.

Rose never forgot a name or a face. She learned to crochet at Normandy and crocheted many afghans and Christmas stockings for her loved ones. A convert before her wedding, Rose was proudly Catholic, attended Mass weekly, and was an active parishioner at St. Augustine’s in Honolulu, and in Saint Louis at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Francis de Sales, Seven Holy Founders, and St. Paul. Her favorite food was German. Her drink was a Manhattan. She learned to drive in her 70s. Rose always recognized Pearl Harbor Day and the Ides of March. Notably, she learned the name of her father when she was 86, subsequently met and befriended her relatives on her father’s side, and appreciated their kindness to her.

Rose was proud of her education, often saying that “Once you get an education, nobody can take it away from you."

Rose lived 93 years and 9 months. She died on Valentine’s Day 2026. Her parents, Ella Krone and Vernie Engletonjohn, gave her life. By the grace of God and her perseverance, Rose created the rest. From an orphan to a breadwinner; a mother of 9; loyal wife of 49 years; Grandma, great Grandma, Aunt and friend; the strongest person her family will ever know.

Rose Schaeffler will be buried with Tom at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, but her soul is in heaven and her spirit remains alive in those fortunate to know her and love her. She is survived by her daughter Patricia, and many grateful descendants.