Larry Robert Schaffert passed away Sept. 24 in Grand Island at the age of 86. A farmer and semi-truck driver, Larry was a successful, self-made business owner, providing for his family by pursuing an independent career for several years before his retirement in 2005. He was a clever mechanic, a devoted gardener, a collector of toy trucks and Coca-Cola memorabilia, a football fan, and a savvy card player. Exceedingly generous, with an ornery demeanor and a sharp wit, Larry died in his sleep after several years of battling cancer. He lived on his beloved farm outside of Aurora with his wife, Donita, until his last few weeks. Larry was born in Aurora at home, at 1007 10th St, and graduated from Aurora High School in 1956. Before going into business for himself in the 1970s, Larry worked for Cargill and as a foreman at BonnaVilla. As the proprietor of Schaffert Trucking, Larry drove semi for Aurora Co-op for over twenty years.

The first few years of Larry’s retirement were marked by survival: he had quadruple bypass heart surgery followed soon after by brain surgery for an aneurysm. His family is grateful to his caregivers, especially the physicians and staff of Morrison Cancer Center of Mary Lanning Healthcare in Grand Island, who attended to his treatment over the last few years of his life.

In addition to Donita, who he married in 1958, Larry is survived by three sons and their spouses (Douglas and Missy, Michael and Jill, and Timothy and Rodney); sister (Mae Uden); brother-in-law (Jack Swanson); sister-and brother-in-law (Linda and Roger Morse); six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and seven step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Larry Dean; granddaughter, Jordan Elizabeth; parents, Oswald and Ella; father-and motherin- law, Evan and Margaret Smith; brother-in-law, Roy Uden; brother, Stanley Schaffert; and sister, Myrna Swanson.

A Celebration of Larry’s life will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hampton. Rev. Dan Barbey will officiate. Inurnment will be at the Aurora Cemetery. No visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to GRACE Cancer Foundation, 2319 N. Webb Road, Grand Island, Neb., 68803. Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.