Theodore Shaffer

Theodore Haakon Ivan Shaffer, 86, passed away May 23, 2024 at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake, ND after battling several medical inflictions.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake, with Reverend Paul Schuster officiating. Ted will be laid to rest next to his wife Frances at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.   The funeral Mass will be livestreamed via Facebook.com/stjosephdvl.  Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and will continue at the church one hour prior to the Funeral Mass.

Theodore or Ted as he was known by his numerous friends and family, was born on January 23, 1938.  He was the second son of the four boys born to Herrillis A. and Evelyn A. (Borstad) Shaffer in Maddock, North Dakota.   Bored with school, he left without graduating to help his uncles Archie and Blanding Borstad on their farms near Devils Lake. He later enlisted in the Navy but was discharged shortly after they discovered he had rheumatic fever as a child.  He was a very talented young artist and hoped for a career in the art community but with his limited education, he did not pursue his dreams.   He always regretted not finishing his education and later he enrolled in evening adult education classes to improve his reading and writing skills which came in handy as he worked his way through life supporting his family.  

He worked in construction for several years and later became an entrepreneur when he owned his own used car and repair shop as well as a taxi service.  He had more friends than you could count and would literally give the shirt off his back for someone in need.  Above all Ted loved his family and was a devoted husband, father and brother.

He married Frances Martin Shaffer on July 21, 1962, whose husband had recently died in a car accident. They had three children, Terry, Lisa and Linda Holtz, whom he loved as his own.   Together Ted and Francis had two sons Joseph and Ted Junior, which was the start of a very extended family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, wife Frances, daughter Linda, brothers Herrillis (Bill/Sonny) and William (Billy).

He is survived by his children Terry (Lori) of Nevada, Lisa and Joseph, both of Devils Lake, Ted Jr. of Fargo and brother John (YoYo), of Florida.  He is also survived by several nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren scattered around the county,

Ted’s family would like to thank all those who have shared their thoughts, prayers, and memories with us.   Ted will never be forgotten and will live in our lives with pleasant memories knowing he has deserved his everlasting life in heaven with Frances and other family.