Vicki L. Schaf was called home to her heavenly father on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. She lived in Shelby for nearly all of her life and was proud to call it home. Though Vicki’s life was cut short, she led a beautiful, well-lived life.

She was a loving mother to her two daughters, Tina (Cody) and Danielle (Nathan). Vicki was their biggest fan, rarely missing a game and often claiming her spot in the stands for sporting events well before warm-ups started. She was so proud to be Tina’s and Danielle’s Mom. Vicki called her daughters daily—talking about life, updating them on the latest Husker sports news, or simply just listening to their voices.

Vicki was a big advocate for Tina’s Mary Kay business, frequently attending parties just to be a supportive presence for her daughter. She was also quite the style icon, which was a hard-learned truth for her daughters at times, especially when suggesting prom dresses for Tina in the course of shopping over the years. Vicki always knew what would look “nice,” which was one of her highest compliments.

It was fun to watch Vicki become a vicious card player when she was known for being a calm, gentle, and loving force. She loved playing cards with Danielle and Nathan, being dealt in for 88 (a Rummy variant) or Monopoly Deal. Though Vicki’s large heart was felt by all, when she was playing Monopoly Deal, there was no love lost when competing against her daughter. She often targeted Danielle even when it was more advantageous not to, and was known to throw her cards across the table when charged rent.

Vicki became known to many as “Mama Vicki,” loving many of her daughters’ friends as her own. She would share in delight, excitedly saying, “I saw my daughter today,” and Danielle would immediately know her mother didn’t mean her or her sister, but one of Danielle’s friends. 

Though Vicki was a proud mother, the greatest title she ever held was Grandma. She loved being a grandmother to her five grandchildren: Ali, Jackson, Samantha, Faith, and Patience. Every summer, the kids would come stay with their grandmother for a week, which Vicki INSISTED would be filled with outdoor sprinkler fun and sweet treats. “Well, do you think I should make a cake for the kiddos? I only made brownies and cookies, and you know, that ice cream will only last so long,” she would say.

When Vicki wasn’t busy being Mom or Grandma, you could find her gallivanting with friends across the state, checking off all 70 stops of the Nebraska Passport each summer (a formidable six-time reigning passport champion). She loved seeing new and different places across Nebraska, especially when surrounded by her beloved friends. Vicki’s favorite stops would be wineries that she’d note to visit again, little local stores to find trinkets for her grandchildren, and coffee shops to find the best beans for her coffee-loving daughter.

Vicki had simple taste in music, exclusively listening to Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Trace Adkins, and 90s Country. She devoured Mounds candy, sipped on Arby’s Strawberry Lemonade, savored angel food cake, and gobbled up tomatoes. She was a fierce Huskers and Kansas City Chiefs fan, instilling a deep love for sports in her children. Vicki’s home was filled with snowmen that she collected and attempted to keep up year-round to her daughters’ chagrin. She also adored anytime it snowed, often poking fun at her friend, Toni, who didn’t have the same enthusiasm for snow, by joyously notifying her of the falling snowflakes.

Above all, Vicki was a big-hearted, hope-filled woman of God. She loved all who graced her path. She observed, listened, and cared. Vicki was hard-working, genuine, loyal, stubborn, and most importantly, strong. She was loved by many, and touched so many lives.

She departs this Earth leaving her daughters, grandchildren, brothers—Jerry (Candi) Stewart and Mark (Nancy) Stewart, nephews—Brandon (Olga) Stewart and Steve (Stacy) Stewart, niece—Macy (Neil) Samek, and many more family, friends, and loved ones. 

Vicki has united with her late parents—Elmer and Lenore Stewart, a heartfelt homecoming. 

Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 10:00am CST at the Shelby Methodist Church (NE) with Pastor Soonil Park officiating, followed by a reception at the Shelby Legion. To watch the live stream of the funeral service, you may go to: bit.ly/VSchafFuneral. 

If you’d like to share your sympathies with the family, you may do so by mailing them to:

The Family of Vicki Schaf, PO Box 312, Shelby, NE 68662

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.

Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and Osceola has been entrusted with arrangements. Dubasfuneralhome.com