Anne Shafer

Anne Elise Shafer, loving daughter and only child of Howard Clinton Shafer and Lydia Ann (Brammer) Shafer  was born on November 23, 1937. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton, Iowa. She graduated as valedictorian in 1956 from Hampton High School. In 1960 she graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. From 1960-1962 she taught English and was the school librarian at Osage Community High School in Osage, Iowa. Anne was the high school and junior high librarian in Iowa Falls, Iowa during the years 1962-1966. Anne was granted a fellowship to Western Michigan University and received her Masters in Librarianship in 1967. She then moved to Evanston, IL and was the Evanston Township High School Librarian until she retired in 1994.

Anne belonged to many professional organizations during her career and these organizations made it possible to travel the world. She was a member of the National Education Association (NEA) and the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). She was also a member of the American Librarian Association (ALA), the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and was a charter member of the International Association of School LIbrarians (IASL) and served on their board as Treasurer for many years.

Anne had a lifelong passion for traveling. She circumnavigated the globe to visit Australia and her extensive travel log includes the following countries: England, Germany, Japan,Hong Kong, Iran, Thailand, the Philippines, Scandinavia, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Russia, and cruises on the Panama Canal and around Cape Horn. She has been on every continent except for Antarctica. Other hobbies besides traveling were reading and taking advantage of the Chicago cultural scene by attending the theater, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera, and the Art Institute of Chicago. She spent some of her retirement years as a volunteer usher and was able to see many plays and music performances that way.

Anne’s church home since 1977 has been Grace Lutheran in Evanston, IL. She served on the church council, as a lay reader, various committees, and with Connie Wood visited various shut-ins. Her many friends at Grace will miss her. She is best described as a faithful friend who had a desire to know and understand more about others, including their perspectives and experiences.

All through her life, Anne was a faithful follower of Jesus.  He was her strength and comfort during her struggles, and her peace and hope for a future resurrection with Him.

Anne is survived by her cousins Julie Ilten, Kathleen (Jeff) Heller, Karla (Greg) Menze and cousins Emma and Elizabeth Heller and Katherine and Caroline Menze and numerous Brammer and Shafer cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents Howard and Lydia Shafer and her beloved cousins Jim and Nadine Ilten and Goddaughter Janet Elise Ilten.

Funeral arrangements were made through Cumberland Chapels in Norridge, IL. Private inurnment will be at a later date in Hampton Cemetery, Hampton, Iowa. Memorials may be given to Grace Lutheran Church, 1430 South Boulevard, Evanston, IL 60202.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 26, from 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1430 South Boulevard, Evanston, IL 60202. The service will be live streamed and can be viewed by clicking HERE .