Arvilda (Toni) Schaeffer, 97, Eureka, SD died Tuesday November 3, 2026, at the Avera Eureka Health Care Center.

Toni’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Eureka, led by Pastor LuCinda Haak. Interment follows at the Eureka Cemetery. Pianist will be Ronda Lapp; Congregational Hymns will be “He Touched Me”, “Mansion Over the Hilltop”, “What A Day That Will Be”, and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”; A recording of “Heirloom” by the group From the Heart will be played; great granddaughter Samantha Wipf will sing “His Eye is on the Sparrow”; and usher will be Wayne Lutz.

Visitation commences at the Church 10:00 AM Tuesday at the Church.

Arvilda Jean Aman, daughter of Alma (Kirschenman) and Reinhold Aman, was born August 2, 1929 on their farm six miles NE of Eureka. In 1936, the family moved to town where she attended school.

Toni married Harold (Whitey) Schaeffer on November 23, 1947 at the Congregational Church in Eureka. They made their first home in Milledgeville, Illinois where they were blessed with the birth of their daughter Margaret. Six years later, they moved back to Eureka where their son James was born.

Toni was devoted to hard work and raising her family. She had a varied work history, taking pride in her many different positions. She worked part-time at the Gamble Store in clothing and fabrics. Then in 1969, Toni and Whitey opened their own business, Schaeffer’s Furniture. She operated her business, Toni’s Interiors, within the family store. After the store was closed, she continued to work her business from home.

At the age of 60, she went on to obtain her Certified Nurse’s Assistant training and was employed at the nursing home. Toni then clerked at the Eureka Pharmacy until she finally retired at 74.

Toni’s genuine love for people and her community continued as she volunteered at the Second Hand Rose thrift shop where she also served on the board.

Her beautiful soprano voice was always heard above the congregation at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, where she was a lifelong member and where she held many offices with the Ladies Fellowship. Toni shared her passion for music by directing the junior choir, singing in the church choir and soloing for many occasions. Without formal training, she learned to play the piano and did so with much flair. She often played at the Assisted Living Center for the residents where she had moved to in 2025.

When Toni finally had some spare time, she enjoyed playing golf. Whitey was her coach and partner. Often, they played a foursome with their dear friends Darlene and Sarge Kary. Their Sunday tradition was attending church, playing a round of golf and enjoying a family dinner together.

Toni was also a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 79 years and the Red Hatters organization.

She was a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to so many. She took great pride in her large family. In her 97 years of life, she left behind a lifetime of love and memories. She was deeply loved by her family and many others, and her presence will be greatly missed.

The song may be ended, but the melody lingers on in the traditions she taught us and the love she gave her family.

Toni is survived by her daughter, Margaret Raile of Eureka, her son James (Penny) Schaeffer, Clitherall, MN; 5 grandchildren: Wendy (Ron) Brockel, Scott (Stephanie) Raile; Liza (Mike) Mettler, Nicole (Troy) Guard, Jayme (Sean) Laws; 18 great grandchildren: Brady (Ali) Brockel, Josh (Regan) Raile, Samantha (Tyler) Wipf, Cheyloh Brockel, Devan Brockel, Maycee Mettler, Ella Brockel, and Sadie Mettler, Grace Guard, Jagger Guard, Jameson Guard, Nicolas Wang, Lucy Wang, Stella Laws, Andrew Laws, Lennox Laws, Brinley Laws, and Michael Laws. 3 great, great grandchildren: Laikyn Raile, River Raile, Jett Brockel, Brother: Curtis (Melvine) Aman. Sisters-in-law: LaVonne Aman, Sharon Aman, Polly Aman. Brother-in-law: Anthony Kapkowski; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harold, on September 10, 2003; her father Reinhold, on September 22, 1996; her mother Alma, on July 29, 2002; three brothers: Orville Aman, Ilo Aman, and Phillip Aman; two sisters: Darlene Kapkowski Judith McCurdy; Son-in-law: Michael Raile; great granddaughter Avery Jo Brockel; and great great granddaughter, Sophia Ranae Brockel.

Honorary bearers will be granddaughters, Wendy, Liza, Nicole, and Jayme; granddaughter-in-law, Stephanie; and all of Toni’s great and great grandchildren.

Casketbearers will be grandsons- Scott; grandsons-in-law, Ron, Mike, Troy, and Sean; great grandsons, Brady and Joshua; and great grandsons, Cheyloh and Devan.

Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka.