Galen Schaaf

Galen D. Schaaf, 73, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and formerly of Omaha, Nebraska,
and Griswold, Iowa, passed away Friday, May 11, 2012, at the Tabitha Journey House in Lincoln, NE.


Galen was born December 23, 1938, near Atlantic, Iowa, to Herman Frederick and Zeta Dorothea Mueller Schaaf. He attended country grade school and graduated from Cumberland High School with the class of 1957. He was baptized and a member of St. John's United Church of Christ near Lyman.

He worked on construction and wheat harvests until he was drafted into the United States Army. He completed his basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and then was stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado. After his service, he took a position with Reuben Distributing Company in Omaha, NE where he worked until his retirement.

After retiring, Galen spent time traveling, wintering in South Texas and visiting Omaha in the summer. He was an ardent sports fan, he loved to play golf, bowl and watch Nebraska football. He enjoyed family get-togethers, especially Christmas with his nieces and nephews.

Surviving Galen are his sister and brother-in-law, Curtis and Rosalie Masteller of Atlantic, IA; nephews, Mark Masteller of Ames, IA, Brian Masteller of Wiota, IA, Bruce (Coni) Masteller of Lindsay, NE, Steven (Andrea) Masteller of Clive, IA and Jeffrey (Kelli) Masteller of Burleson, TX; nieces, Debbie (Duane) Reasoner of Ellston, IA and Becky (Doug) Overfield of Omaha, NE; great-nieces and great-nephews, Michael and Justin Masteller, Joshua, Mikaela and Alyssa Finkral, Carter and Elly Masteller, Kara and Maria Masteller, Carson, Campbell and Camryn Masteller, Josh Schaaf, Brian (Amber) Fooken, Curtis Fooken, Allison (Jeremiah) Swietlik, Sara and Megan Reasoner and Courtney McLaughlin; one great-great-nephew, Trey Fooken and one great-great-niece, Kenleigh Fooken; his uncle, Robert Auerbach of Atlantic; and numerous cousins.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Merlin and Vera Schaaf; and brother, Loren Schaaf.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Hockenberry Family Care Chapel in Atlantic. A private family burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery south of Lyman.


Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.