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“The Life History of Emil Schaffer”

By Emil Schaffer

This is a memoir, written by Emil Schaffer, a German Russian living in Gackle, North Dakota. Emil’s memoir is organized by year, from his birth year of 1917 until 2004. Each year is represented by various stories and memories of Emil’s life. He has documented everything from his birth, and stories he has been told about that, to the births of his siblings. I was amazed by Emil’s memory. Each year’s story includes so much detail, like specific names of teachers from his childhood, or specific dates of things such as illnesses in his family or big storms that impacted the Schaffer household. But Emil does not just document events; he also adds his personal view and feelings on these happenings.

As the years passed in Emil’s memoir, the stories took on more shape. Each story became more detailed, and the reader learns more about Emil’s past. I especially enjoyed the story of Emil’s dating in high school, and meeting his wife. He tells how he was set up on a blind date with his future wife, Lillian Krapu. After an evening in town, Emil’s friend was driving everyone home when he took a sharp turn. Seeing this as an opportunity, Emil leaned with the car as it turned and leaned right in for a kiss on his future bride.

Emil tells his story with such frankness, and honesty, it is hard not to feel as if you know him personally after reading his story. One story that struck me was the story of Emil’s wife Lillian and struggle with sickness. As Emil’s memoir ends, Lillian becomes more and more ill, until she dies and Emil documents in his memoir how he feels about his marriage, Lillian, her illness, and her death.

This memoir characterizes what I think is, and was, common day to day life for German Russians in North Dakota. Emil doesn’t dress anything up to look better or more exciting than it was. His life is fascinating and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this memoir, and get a glimpse into Emil’s life.

I left wondering if many other German Russians, or any other North Dakotans of various ethnic backgrounds, have also left beyond many diaries or memoirs, especially accounts of their lives in more of a story form.