Loretto D. Schaeffer (nee Kister) was fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church and passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 94 years of age. Loretto was the eighth child of Margaret (nee Daugherty) and Raphael Kister. Loretto graduated from St. Marks Academy High School and later joined the semi-cloistered Catholic religious order of The Sisters of Cenacle dedicating herself to deepening her faith for 15 years. After returning to her secular life, Loretto married the late Chester Lemanski on May 12, 1967, to whom she was married for 27 years until his passing. On September 3, 2001, she was blessed with a second love and was married for 12 years to the late Robert Schaeffer, with whom she enjoyed being part of a loving and very large extended family.
Loretto was very active in her church and community and was loved dearly by all who knew her. Her favorite activities included dancing, gardening, cooking, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She loved her stepchildren and their families, and her numerous nieces and nephews. She was our dear stepmother, step-grandmother, step-great -grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt, cousin and friend to many.
Loretto was the Beloved Sister of Joseph Kister and the late Lucille Butler, Ursula Bifano, Rose Winer, James Kister Sr., Joan Kister, Margaret Barnak and Raphael Kister;
Dear Stepmother of Robert Schaeffer II, Michele McCue, Lynn Ruel, Brian Schaeffer and Scott Schaeffer;
Beloved Step-grandmother to Robert III, Sarah, Mary, Sadie, Shawn, Eric, Tyler and Michael; and Great-grandmother to Lois, Otto, Frances, Fritz and Isla;
Loving Aunt of Barbara, Janet, Carolyn, Carl, Michelene, James Jr., Bernard, Theresa, Donald, Pamela, Mark, Sylvia, Robert and Diane;
Dear Aunt of the late Kenneth, Joseph, Joseph “Jay”, Michael, Joseph, Kevin, Ralph, Joseph and Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed for St Jude’s Children’s Hospital Charity in Loretto’s memory.
Services: A Memorial Visitation will be held at Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. until time of mass 9:30 a.m. with a Luncheon to follow.
Please Note: Burial From KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd on (meeting on the parking lot) Thursday, May 15, departing at 10:30 a.m. for a committal service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at 11 a.m.
Dear Mickey, all the Kister family, and extended families.
Your obituary was a wonderful tribute to Loretto and gives her life recognition and us a little closure.
We also lovingly call Loretto our aunt as well. We are all so lucky to have her in our life.
Along with your Mom & Dad, Loretto’s kindness and gentle spirit will be long remembered by the entire Russo family.
Best regards and sincere condolences,
Your Brother,
John Russo