William Francis Schifsky

Korean War Veteran,
Prior Co-Owner of T.A. Schifsky and Sons,
Past President of Ramsey North 500th Lions Club,
Lifetime Member of American Legion


Bill was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on Christmas Day of 1928. He was the son of Viola (nee Moris) and Thomas Schifsky. He attended St. Agnes Catholic Grade School and later School District 28. Bill's family moved to Shoreview in 1940 and started selling produce at street side vegetable stands. In Shoreview, his family had 3 acres of land with a very large garden, a milk cow, beef cows, chickens and a borrowed horse. Every year the family would add more and more animals. In the Mid- 40's the farm became to small for the family and all of the animals. So they rented 80 acres across the street from their house. During this time Bill’s dad started to work two jobs in work 2 different jobs companies in Fridley, and his mother worked at the Twin City Armory just to support the families growing needs. To improve farming the land, they bought a Ford tractor with all the attachments! This allowed for better plowing of the victory gardens as well as the ability to cut and bale hay. In the late 40's, to grow their family business further, they purchased a truck to start landscaping, and the selling of black dirt. Dirt that was amply available in a section of land they purchased at 361 E. County Road East. The beginnings of T.A. Schifsky and sons. To finish of the start of T.A. Schifsky and Son's Bill's father had a good friend build a machine to pulverize and mix dirt. The first work the company performed was for the City of Mounds View. They put up snow fences, graded streets, and patched holes using a process called cold-mix. Bill Continued to expand the business by beginning to do work on driveways and parking lots for all types of companies as well as private individuals. Bill continued as a co-owner of T.A. Schifsky & Son's until he retired in 1993.

As a child, Bill played the violin, joined a baseball team, and worked in the family business as a gardener at first. Later, not to much later, Bill was responsible for selling the vegetables roadside. As a side job, and for extra money, he also sold magazines. In 1948, the next stage of his life, Bill met the love of his life, LaVerne Markgraf, and the two were married on September 30, 1950. Then, just two months later, Bill joined the United States Army and served as a Corporal in the Korean War (stationed in Alaska) from 1950 to 1953. While in the war, he was a barber for the other men in his platoon in order to make extra money to send home to LaVerne. Once back from the war, Bill began working at the family’s landscaping and asphalt company again. During that time, cold-mix started to go out of style and they began using the hot-mix procedure. Later, in 1958, Bill and LaVerne bought their first home at 5494 North Lexington on Turtle Lake (Ramsey County). Then, the following year, LaVerne left 3M and was able to become a stay at home mom. This allowed Bill to focus on the family asphalt business, become a devoted member of the American Legion, and Lions Club. He also achieved a lifetime membership status at his Legion post, as well as, became President of the North Ramsey 500th Lions Club. Another accomplishment of Bill's was his contributions to New Brighton Bank serving on the Board of Directors.

After the war the state highway began being built. Unfortunately, at the time, T.A. Schifsky & Son's were forced to move as the highway was planned to run right though their property. Today the company is still in existence in North St Paul just off of highway 36. Fortunately, the money from the forced sale of their property to put a down payment on the new property. In 1967, Bill, LaVerne, and their 5 children, David, Alan, Jeffery Nicholas and Judy, moved to a 40 acre farm located on the corner of Centerville Road and County Road J in White Bear Township. The farm was nice but the lake was calling! In 1971 they decided to move back to Turtle Lake in Shoreview where the family lives today.

During his life on the lake, Bill loved to garden, fish, hunt, bowl, and golf. LaVerne joined him golfing and they joined the Forest Hills Golf Course. For a winter get away they also owned a home with friends in Homosassa Springs, Florida. They enjoyed the snowbird life so much they decided to purchase their own condominium right on the Atlantic Ocean by West Palm Beach Fla. on Singer Island. When in Florida, Bill and LaVerne loved to golf and relax at the pool or on the beach. In addition to those homes, they owned a summer town home in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota on a channel that connected to Pelican Lake where they loved to sit by the pool, golf and fish. They sold that town home in 2004. Bill had an extremely strong work ethic and worked very hard for the things he and his family had in life. He provided well for LaVerne and the children. More than anything, his family was his pride and joy. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren with all his heart.

Bill will be dearly missed by his wife of 66 years, LaVerne (nee Markgraf); daughter, Judy (“Lou”) Gallagher; sons, David (Judy), Jeffery, Alan (Stephanie), and Nicholas; grandchildren, Bailey & Duncan Potter, Nicole (Rob) Stangler, Sue, Sam, Emma, Lauren, Luke, Ian, and Aislinn; great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Karly, Natalie, Christian, Matthew, Nathan, Michael, Jacob, Tyler, and Ava; sisters-in-law's, Margo, Fran, Donna and Bernie; brother-in-law Dick; and many other family and friends.

There will be a gathering for friends and family from 4-7 PM (1st visitation) on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake with a Prayer Service at 6:30 PM. Then, 2nd Visitation 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 AM to 12 PM on Friday, November 11, 2016 at St. Mary of the Lake Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake, Interment at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Our Lady of Peace Hospice at 2076 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104. Bill’s family is forever grateful for the compassionate care he received in his final days at Our Lady of Peace.