Thomas Shaffer

Thomas P. Shaffer, 93, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 10, 2013. Tom was born Oct. 6, 1919 in Independence, MO, the youngest son of nine children, to Joseph and Katerina Shaffer. He graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and William Chrisman High School. After helping out on the family farm and winery he began working at Columbia Steel Tank. He then enlisted in the Army and his WW II service sent him to various locations in the United States, finally landing him in Cairo, Egypt. As in everything, Tom viewed this move as an adventure. After achieving the rank of Major, the war ended and he returned to Independence. Just prior to leaving the Army, Tom married the love of his life, Gennie Sansewich. They began their life together raising their two sons, Dan and Ron. Even though he worked very hard as a carpenter he always was a loving and devoted husband and father. With a loan from his mother-in-law, Anna Sansewich, Tom decided to build his first house for sale. This led to a career in residential and commercial building and development in Independence and Blue Springs. After retiring, he continued to work, helping his sons and his wife, Gennie, in their business, Seidens’s Furs. In 2007, after sixty years of a wonderful marriage, Gennie passed away. This led to another adventure for Tom. He moved from the family home he built to Santa Fe Place at Crown Center to be close to his sons. He was always a good and gentle man with a smile on his face. At Santa Fe Place he enjoyed his beautiful view of the Liberty Memorial and Union Station. He hosted an annual Memorial Day celebration party with his very close
friends to hear the Kansas City Symphony and view the spectacular fireworks from his balcony. He also continued his lifelong passion of buying and selling stocks. Several times a year, Tom and his son, Ron, traveled to Las Vegas as he did often with his beloved wife, Gennie. He celebrated New Years 2013 with Ron at the top of the Stratosphere in Las Vegas with fireworks and fanfare. He also enjoyed the local casinos, especially Ameristar, up to the day before his death. He was a lifelong Catholic and a member of the Honorary Board of Directors of Rockhurst University. Tom is survived by his sons, Dan and Ron; his sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Kenneth Schowengerdt; his nephew and wife, Dr. Kenneth Schowengerdt and Dr. Joyce Koenig; nephew, Karl Schowengerdt; niece Sue Ward; niece and husband Laura and Jerry Vernon as well as many other nieces, nephews and dear friends. Visitation will be Sat., Aug. 17, at 9:00 am followed by the Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Sorrows, 2552 Gilham Rd., K.C., MO 64108; interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family suggests contributions to the Sister Servants of Mary, 800 N. 18th St., Kansas City, KS 66102. The family would like to thank Fr. Mario Moscaritolo and Fr. Luke Byrne S.J., John K. Mann and Lorenzo Johnson for their continued love and support.