Carol Diann Shafer, 79, of York, NE, peacefully passed away and went to her heavenly home on September 23, 2024. Carol was born on January 23, 1945, to Irl and Lona French in Wauneta, NE. After graduating from Hayes County High School in 1963, she began working at Miller Sales Company in McCook, NE, as an Office Assistant.
On her nineteenth birthday, Carol met the love of her life, Lonnie Shafer. They were married on June 4, 1966, in Hayes Center, NE, and spent the next 58 years building a life filled with love, faith, and laughter. Together, they raised three children—Thomas, Jeffrey, and Julie.
A faithful Christian and a longtime member of the York East Hill Church of Christ. Carol spent many years teaching children’s Bible classes. Carol’s love and dedication as a wife, a mother, and a grandmother was evident in every facet of her life.
The family lived in Orleans, NE, Carson, IA, and Exeter, NE, where Lonnie taught history and coached boys track and field. Carol was always by his side, supporting his career by serving as meet scorer at home track and field meets and chaperoning senior sneak trips.
In 1984, Carol began working at the Exeter Care Center. She worked there for 22 years, serving in the housekeeping and laundry departments, eventually becoming supervisor. After her retirement in 2006, she embraced her role as a grandmother. She was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader, attending their games, school events, and milestones with unwavering pride and joy.
After living in Exeter for 42 years, Carol and Lonnie moved to York in 2016, where they continued to enjoy time with family, friends, and their church community.
Carol is survived by her husband, Lonnie; her children and their spouses, and grandchildren—Thomas and Erin Shafer and their children, Evyn and Gannon of Lincoln, NE; Jeffrey and Becky Shafer and their children, Lily, Trevor, and Abby of York, NE; and Julie and Timothy McManamey of Lincoln, NE. She is also survived by her sister, Jane Davis, of Pierre, SD; sister-in-law Mary French of Springfield, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her parents, three brothers – Forrest and Eva Lee French, Wayne French, Jack and Kay French; three sisters – Barbara French, Virginia and John Kramer, Doris and Leroy Harms; and brother-in-law Herb Davis.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at East Hill Church of Christ in York on September 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. that afternoon at Greenwood Cemetery in York. A luncheon will be held at East Hill Church of Christ following the service, prior to the burial. Visitation will be held on September 27, 2024, at 6:00-8:00 pm at the East Hill Church of Christ. Carol has been cremated, no viewing. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Nebraska Youth Camp in Kearney, NE, at https://nebraskayouthcamp.com/?page_id=77.
