Yvonne Marie Schaffer, 65 of Spearfish SD, passed away on December 16, 2023 at the Rapid City Monument Health with her husband, daughter and youngest son by her side.

Yvonne was born on February 7, 1958 in Belcourt, ND to Louis and Marie Houle. She had five sisters and two brothers. With a few moves, Louis and Marie settled down with their family in Wahpeton, ND where she went to school and graduated in 1976. After she graduated, she attended the North Dakota State College of Science for a few years. She was married and had three children, Adam, Elizabeth and Thomas. She later divorced but on June 28, 2002, she married her best friend, Ronald Schaffer.  They resided in Wahpeton, ND until 2020 when they retired and moved to Spearfish, SD.

Over the years, Yvonne held various jobs but the one being a mother was her favorite. She enjoyed staying at home and raising her three children. Her children have always been her everything.  They spent lots of time together taking care of the various family pets and livestock on the farm, to watching their favorite movies or just hanging out talking.

Yvonne loved to garden. She had the most beautiful flower beds around, she could grow the tallest daisies (her favorite) and the most gorgeous roses. She could also out fish anybody in the boat. We always had a side bet of $1.00 of who could catch the first walleye. Her grandchildren were also her pride and joy, she enjoyed spending time with them, watching them grow up.

She had the most kind, quiet, gentlest soul and loved animals and they loved her right back.  It didn't matter if she had just met a new dog, they would sense her kind soul and immediately love her right back. She had all kinds of pets, from raccoons to guinea pigs. Her most beloved pet of all was her little cocker spaniel, Birdie. She was always by her side and went everywhere with her.

Ron and Yvonne spent a lot of time traveling, going all over the U.S. It didn't matter if they were in another state or driving around the Black Hills. She loved sitting shotgun with her honey seeing everything they could see.  If they weren't traveling, they were sitting on the back porch watching the sunrises over Lookout Mountain and sunsets over Crow Peak.

Yvonne is survived by her husband, Ronald Schaffer of Spearfish, SD; three children, Adam (Stefanie) Ewalt of Louisiana, Elizabeth (Andy Beckmann) Ewalt of White Lake, SD, Thomas (Candie Mailloux) Ewalt Sturgis, SD; her seven grandchildren Dylan, Joseph, Levi, Harper, McKenzie, Ely and Alivia; sisters, Dianna Bosen, Connie and Annette Houle, and Yvette (Chris) Vance.

Yvonne is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Cindy Kirsch; and her brothers, Ron and Marcel Houle.

Visitation will be from 4-6 PM on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.  Vigil will follow at 6 PM.   Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, December 22, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish.  Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com