Obituary

Barbara Mildred (Henry) Shaffer was born March 4, 1945 in Pipestone, MN. She was the first daughter of James E. Henry and Mildred V. Henry. She was raised on the farm in Flandreau, SD until 1948 when she moved to Pipestone, MN and received her education. She graduated from Pipestone High School in 1963. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from North Central College in Naperville, IL in 1967. She began her teaching career in Naperville, IL teaching 5th grade. In 1968, she moved back to Pipestone and taught 5th grade at Jasper Public Schools until 1971.

She married John B. Shaffer on August 10, 1968 at Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church in Pipestone. Barbara loved music and played piano her entire life. She played the piano and organ for over 40 years for Zion and Peace United Methodist churches. She was an active member of Zion followed by Peace United Methodist Church, participating in the bible studies, women’s group and quilt guild.

During the 1980s and 1990s she was a substitute elementary school teacher with the Pipestone Public School system followed by teaching adult basic education, enabling students of all ages to achieve their dream of learning to read and/or successfully achieve their high school diploma or GED, at the alternative school within the Pipestone Public School system. She and John retired from farming in 2009. Since that time they have spent their winters in Mesa, AZ and their summers in Pipestone.
She found joy in both her professional and personal life, with a deep love for teaching and music. She valued time with friends—over coffee, walks around ‘the square’, or lively card games—and especially enjoyed annual summer shopping trips to the Twin Cities in search of a great deal. She also loved golfing, fishing, traveling the world with John, and visiting family in Chicago. For many years, she was an active member of PEO’s Chapter C. She passed away on April 13, 2026, while residing at the Summit in Mesa, Arizona.

Barbara is lovingly remembered by her husband of nearly 58 years, John of Pipestone MN and Mesa AZ; her daughter Julie (Jay) Hakim of Northbrook, IL and Gold Canyon, AZ; son Mark (Ana) Shaffer, of Park Ridge, IL; grandchildren, Carter and Jordan Hakim and Hunter and Blair Shaffer; her sister Eleanor (John) Pierce, Park Ridge, IL and nieces, nephews and other friends and relatives.