Obituary - Sylvia Sara Schafer Kafka

Sylvia Sara Schafer Kafka, 91, passed away Oct. 9, 2014, at the Sweet Nursing Home in Chinook.

As per her final wishes, cremation has taken place, and a private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been made with Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook. Condolences may be left for the family at http://www.edwardsfuneralhomemt.com.

Sylvia was born on New Year's Day 1923 to Jacob and Matilda Schafer in Chester. She was the last surviving member of her four siblings, Charles, Vivian and William Schafer and Inez Burgess. She attended Northern Montana College while earning her two-year certification in teaching in 1941-1943 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962. Sylvia's rookie year was in the Hinsdale School system in 1943-44. Her marriage to Lada J. Kafka of Havre in 1944 was the start of their farming partnership that lasted 56 years until his death in September 2000. During the years of farming, she taught in the Havre school system for 20 1/2 years, retiring in May 1973.

Mrs. Kafka's teaching tenure was intermingled with raising her family of four children, Ladene (Ron) Mangold of Big Sandy, Deitra (Don) Kraske and Kim (Cindy) Kafka, all of Havre, and Dorcie (Mark) Dvarishkis of Missoula.

Forever an educator, she took great pride in the educational accomplishments of her 11 grandchildren, many of whom have achieved their master's degrees and beyond in their chosen fields. The grandchildren include Mike (Stacy) Mangold of Lewistown, Dustin Kraske and Dane (Sarah) Kraske of Havre, Jaida (Chris) Nagengast of Eagle Point, Oregon, Mace (Carlie) Mangold of Bozeman, Holly (Cory) Matkin, Karlie Kafka, and Andrew Kafka of Havre, Kayla Kafka of Los Angeles, Katie Dvarishkis of Missoula, and Alisa Dvarishkis of Ann Arbor, Michigan. She also is survived by 10 great-grandchildren; the children of her siblings; and Lada's sister, May Drga Clawiter.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff and residents at the Sweet Home for providing the wonderful care and friendship that Sylvia received while residing in Chinook.