The funeral for Daniel Dean Schafer will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2013 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Pastor Linda Helberg officiating.  Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Daniel Dean Schafer, 78, of Rochester, died Sunday, May 5, 2013 at Golden Living Nursing Care in Rochester after a lengthy battle with Parkinsons.

Dan was born on March 30, 1935 in Renville, Minnesota to Willard and Hazel Schafer.  He graduated from Renville High School in 1953.  On November 6, 1954 he married Barbara Benson in Granite Falls, Minnesota where they made their home.  Dan owned and operated Dan's Body Shop from 1959 until 1986 when they moved to Rochester, Minnesota after purchasing Pulver Towing where Dan worked until his retirement.

Dan loved racing stock cars, go carts and snowmobiles, watching sports, especially his children and grandchildren, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, camping and NASCAR.  While living in Granite Falls, Dan was a volunteer firefighter for 18 years, serving as Fire Chief for several years.  He also served as an auxiliary policeman and taught youth firearms training and youth snowmobile training.

Dan is survived by his wife, Barb of Rochester, MN; daughters, Terri (Kevin) Peterson of Bigfork, MN and Julie (Steve) Foy of Brainerd, MN; son, Mark (Gwen) Schafer of Rochester, MN; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, David.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com