Schafers named parade grand marshals

Odessa – After decades of community service, Jerry and Ellen Schafer were named grand marshals of the Deutschesfest Parade, to be held Saturday, Sept. 16.

Jerry grew up in Odessa, graduating high school in 1956. Ellen graduated from Marlin High School in 1962.

In 1965, they married and began their lives as farmers, growing wheat, beans, potatoes and hay.

After retiring from the day-to-day operations of the farm, they opened Das Kraut Haus, a local restaurant that served German food. After five years, they closed the restaurant and transitioned into the business of food production.

Their son Marlon now runs the business and will provide the festival 1,500 pounds of sausage, 1,600 pounds of Kartoffel Kloesse (potato dumplings) and 35 gallons of hot mustard.

The Schafers have volunteered at Deutschesfest "since day one."

Ellen was one of the first women to work in the Biergarten when Fest started in 1971.

"Women working in the Biergarten was frowned upon back then," she said. "But I enjoyed it and could carry three steins in each hand. Back then, we only ordered five kegs of beer, which wasn't nearly enough. We had to send people out to buy all the beer from neighboring communities."

Parade chairwoman Rebecca Maddock praised the Schafers for their volunteerism and charitable contributions to the community.

"We selected the Schafers for their long-standing commitment to the community," she said. "They are two of our valuable assets."

Besides their 50-year association with Deutschesfest, the Schafers have given their time to other service organizations.

Jerry served on the school board and was a member of the Lions Club, Masons and Chamber of Commerce. Ellen is a member of Eastern Star and has volunteered with her church.

"It is an honor to be asked to be grand marshals," Ellen said. "It feels good to be recognized for our contributions over the years. I look forward to the parade, seeing old friends and the opportunity to wear my dirndl."