Jamie Roy Schaffran, 41, of Brandon, MN, passed away suddenly in the early morning of Tuesday March 17th, 2015 in the comforts of his own home with his family at his side following an extremely difficult six month battle with lung cancer.
Jamie was born at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN on February 21, 1974. In June of 1992 he graduated from Faribault Sr. High. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with the University of Phoenix in April 2000 and his Master of Business Administration in July 2002.
Jamie was married to Cheryl G. Schaffran (Linse) on April 25, 1998; they would have been married for 17 years in April. Jamie and Cheryl were high school sweethearts and have spent 24 years together on countless adventures across the country and abroad. They have always been best friends as well as husband and wife and were blessed with four wonderful children, Tony, Kyle, Jake (deceased) and Paige.
Jamie was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved the outdoors and spending time with family and friends out in the woods, summer fishing on the lake, or winter fishing in his Firebrand fish houses. He spent many hours with his boys teaching them how to be great hunters and fishermen like him. Jamie had a wonderful sense of humor and a very quick wit which was enjoyed by everyone he was with. He had an innate ability to have a serious business relationship with people and enjoyed a personal side to those relationships as well. He had a special gift to connect with people of all ages and leave a lasting impression. He was passionate about helping his family, friends, and anyone in need. Jamie was completely driven to succeed in all he did; in addition he helped others meet their goals and best potential. He was a Gambler and loved to take chances…..
Jamie began his professional career in 1993 at SPX Corporation in Owatonna, MN. He was there for nine years starting in Quality Engineering working his way up to a Focus Factory Manager. In 2002, he went to work for Foldcraft Company in Kenyon, MN as a Manufacturing Manager. From 2004-2007 he was an Operations Manager and Plant Manager for Progress Casting Group in Plymouth, MN and New Hampton, IA. In 2007, Jamie followed his dream to live in the Alexandria area where he spent so many great summers with his grandparents. For the next five years he was the Chief Operating Officer at Voyager Aluminum in Brandon, MN. Jamie then worked for Turning Point Management Advisors as a consultant in addition to initiating his own Consulting Company, Strategy One. He always had a goal to start up a business which was achieved in 2014 with the opening of Silver Ranch Industries in Parkers Prairie, MN and Lake Country Customs in Alexandria, MN.
Jamie was actively involved in his community and was a member of the Brandon Fire Department since 2007; serving as a Fireman, EMT and Asst. Fire Chief. In his role as Asst. Fire Chief he took great pride in introducing and training groups of young people about the roles of the fire department. Jamie influenced many young people in the community by serving as a Grace Youth Group leader for over two years and participating in youth mission trips. Jamie had also served as an EMT on the Ringdahl Ambulance Service out of Fergus Falls and Pelican Rapids for six years. Most recently he joined the Parkers Prairie Ambulance Service.
Jamie is survived by his wife, Cheryl, three children; Tony (12 yrs.), Kyle (11 yrs.), & Paige (4 yrs.) His parents, Ernest and Mary (Schroers) Schaffran, sister Cristy (Brian) Peterson, niece and nephew; Cayla & Zach Peterson, parent-in-laws, Dennis and Brenda Gunhus, brother-in-law John (Michele) Linse, nephew and niece; Alex & Emma Linse. Step brother-in-laws, Steve & Chad Gunhus. Grandparents-in-law, Charles and Delite Beatty, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and great friends.
He is preceded in death by an infant son; Jake Michael Schaffran, grandparents, Tony and Bernice Schaffran, George and Dolores Schroers, Jeanne Schroers.
In lieu of flowers, Jamie's request was to have a memorial fund established for his children's education as well as future memorials in his honor.
These memorials can be donated to Cheryl Schaffran in care of: Jamie Schaffran Memorial Fund at Bremer Bank, P.O. Box 68, Brandon, MN 56315
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015, 11:00 AM at the Brandon High School. Burial will be at Brandon Cemetery in Brandon, Minnesota. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net