A Funeral Mass for Jerry Schaaf, age 81, of O'Neill will be 10:30 am Thursday, June 24, 2021 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill with burial to follow in the O'Neill Cemetery. Father Bernard Starman will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7 pm parish rosary. Jerry passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at UNMC in Omaha, NE. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary of O'Neill.

Gerald Joseph Schaaf was born on March 7, 1940 in Atkinson to Elmer and Mary Kathryn (Barnes) Schaaf. He attended school in Emmet and graduated from O'Neill High School in 1959. After graduation, he moved to Omaha and went to work for Western Electric.

Jerry was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1960 and served until 1962. While in the Army, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn Shoemaker on January 27, 1962 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. The couple lived for a time at Fort Knox in Kentucky. After Jerry was Honorably Discharged, the couple moved to Omaha. Where he went back to work for Western Electric. They lived a year in O'Neill and then settled in Emmet when Jerry took a job with AT&T. In 1978, the couple moved back to O'Neill. Jerry retired from AT&T 1998. After retiring, he stayed busy helping out at Biglin's Mortuary, Home Health, North Park Homes, St. Mary's, and St. Patrick's. He was also the Fairway Drive Supervisor for Schluns Construction.

Jerry was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the O'Neill Eagle's Club, the O'Neill Parks Board, the Emmet School Board, and the Village of Emmet Council.

He was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed volunteering, golfing, playing cards, telling stories, and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 59 years, JoAnn Schaaf of O'Neill; five children, Mary "Kathy" (Rick) Boyle of Norfolk, Jerry Schaaf Jr. of Omaha, Gary Schaaf of Omaha, Tim (Carolyn) Schaaf of Johnson Lake, Matt Schaaf of Bow Mar, Colorado; five grandchildren, five great grandchildren; five siblings, Mike (Karen) Schaaf of Algona, Iowa, Donald (Mary) Schaaf of Omaha, Ruth Armatys of Grand Island, Gene (Mary Rose) Schaaf of Lincoln, Vicky Kuhn (Tim Moeller) of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Larry Donlin Sr. of Grand Island; sister-in-law, Becky (Robin) Olson of Atkinson; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Maureen Donlin; a brother, Bernard Schaaf; three brothers-in-law, O.J. Armatys, Jerry Kuhn, Gene Shoemaker; and two nephews, George and Jimmy Shoemaker.