Date of Death: May 17, 2026
The family of Violet Schappert of Saskatoon, formerly of the MacNutt area, beloved wife of the late George Schappert, sadly announce her passing on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Violet was 92 years of age.
Vi began her life on a farm west of the village of MacNutt with her parents Gustave and Alwine (Sagel) Andres. When she was five, the family moved into town where her only sibling, Elsie, was born. Vi attended school in MacNutt completing Grade 10 before working at various MacNutt businesses – the Meat Locker Plant, Mary Haberstock’s General Store, and George and Edna Schaan’s Store. The family attended the Christ Lutheran Church in MacNutt. While attending her second year of confirmation classes, Vi met George Schappert who would then become her husband on Jan. 9, 1956. They resided on the
Schappert family farm from 1956-2004. Together they raised a family of four. A set of twins Carey and Carla (1956), Joanne (1959) and Kevin (1963).
Vi was a full-time mom and farmer’s wife. She grew a large vegetable garden, tended to cows, pigs, chickens and all they produced. She canned, cooked, baked, sewed clothes, butchered, taught 4-H, Sunday School, VBS, volunteered in the church and community on various committees, wrote the MacNutt News for the paper for many years, and drove miles taking kids to piano lessons. In 1968 Vi began a part-time job at the MacNutt Library becoming Librarian in 1972. In 1974 she was hired as the teacher’s assistant of the kindergarten class at MacNutt School. She loved this experience for the almost 20 years that she held it. She also loved every child in each class and loved meeting up with them anytime they crossed paths years later. In 1975 at the age of 41 she was proud to earn her GED.
Vi and George began driving ‘south’ for a few weeks in the winter starting in 1992 but they also travelled to many other US states, to Hawaii, Germany, both Canadian coasts, and many points in between, always visiting family and friends along the way. Vi continued to go south after George passed. She wasn’t afraid to venture out on her own especially to a warm climate, having the attitude that ‘it will all work out’.
As a couple Vi and George loved to dance and would drive miles on the weekend to attend dances or gatherings with their friends. This too Vi continued to do after George passed. It was her social outing. Vi also had a great knowledge of family heritages and connections (family lineage) so was the resource for many others who needed a refresher or reminder! She enjoyed people, made many friends, and was determined to enjoy life. (Her children diagnosed her with a case of FOMO years ago.) If you knew Vi, you know she loved to dress well, looking fashionable and sparkly. She rued the day she could no longer wear heels, but dresses and jewelry remained her primary dress code.
In 2006, Vi moved into Yorkton where she made many new friends including at Allan Bay Manor where she moved in 2012, at Zion Lutheran Church and at the Yorkton and Melville old-tyme dances. In February 2025 Vi moved into The Bentley in Saskatoon where she appreciated the amenities and activities and could make new friends. Vi never complained; however, when her health became compromised, her one regret was that her time at The Bentley was too short. She accepted her medical diagnosis with grace and peace, and a strength that many of us wish we had. Many times, recently she said ‘I have everything to be thankful for and nothing to complain about.’ She passed away peacefully at the Hospice at Glengarda with her children by her side on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Vi is now in heaven joining those gone before: her beloved husband George; her parents Gustave and
Alwine Andres; her in-laws Godfried and Elizabeth (Wagner) Schappert; many Andres aunts, uncles and cousins; two sons-in-law Charles Mears and Pat Zorn; Schappert brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews on both sides, and many friends.
Vi leaves behind her family of, sister Elsie Love (Aden); children Carey Schappert (Shelley Vass), Carla Zorn, Joanne Mears, Kevin (Penny) Schappert; five grandchildren Ryan (Julie) Schappert, Christopher (Cari) Schappert, Charles (Miranda) Mears, Paylyn (Jordan) Haug, Prairie (Michael) Pool; seven great-grandchildren Owen Schappert, Lily Schappert, Camdyn Schappert, Daxton Mears, Felix Mears, Xavier Mears, Jake Haug, and nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at The Hospice at Glengarda for the amazing loving care they provided Vi, she truly believed it was a miracle that she could spend her last days in their care.
A Funeral Service was held on Friday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. from Zion Lutheran Church, Yorkton, with Pastor Kai Buck officiating. Hymns included; How Great Thou Art,
Children of the Heavenly Father, Jerusalem, My Happy Home, and Lord Take My Hand and Lead Me, with organist Verna Liebrecht providing accompaniment.
The interment followed in the in Christ Lutheran Cemetery, MacNutt, with Ryan Schappert, Christopher Schappert, Charles Mears, Paylyn Haug and Prairie Pool serving as urn bearers. Honourary Urn Bearers were all that shared in Vi’s Life. Memorial donations in memory of Violet may be made to the Christ Lutheran Cemetery Fund or The Lutheran Hour as gifts of remembrance.
Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey’s Funeral and Cremation Care.
