Ione Schaaf

Ione Marie Schaaf was born in New Ulm on July 19, 1936, to Wallace and Marie Carlson (Nee Plagge). She lived in Lafayette and graduated from New Ulm High School in 1954. Ione married Arlan Miller in August of 1955 in Lafayette. They lived in New Ulm and had 2 children, Tamme and Doug.

In 1981 Arlan and Ione moved to Pequot Lakes and owned The Oasis Pro Shop. Ione was best known for all the years she worked at the Nisswa Chamber of Commerce and then the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Ione loved to talk to people and became friends with everyone she met. After the death of Arlan, Ione met and married Ed Schaaf. Ione remained active in her church. She enjoyed all the activities, especially, making lefse. One of her favorite moments was being Queen Bean for Bean hole Days and her and Ed being Grand Marshall for the Fourth of July parade. Ione loved to spend time with friends and help anyone she could.

Ione is survived by children, Tamme Giese of Phoenix, AZ, Doug (Vikki) Miller of Pine River, MN, Marsha (Boyd) Rebers of Carver, MN and Eddie Schaaf (Faye) of Arvada, Colorado; sisters, Lila Ellies of Lafayette, Myra Kienlen (Chuck) of St Peter and Rita Ruschmeyer (Larry) Darwin, MN. Ione also had many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Ione is preceded in death by parents, Wallace and Marie Carlson; husbands, Arlan Miller and Ed Schaaf; brothers, Max Carlson and Gust Carlson; and step-children, Bruce Schaaf (Joan), Barbara Koschel (Ron) and Stace Schaaf (Dennis).

A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes. A visitation will be held the hour prior to the service.