Emily Matilda Axford was born to the late Clarence and Margaret (Savage) Schaffer, on March 18, 1929, in Windom, Minnesota. Emily’s early education began in Jenks Country School. She later attended and graduated from Windom High School.
On July 3, 1950, Emily was united in marriage to Charles Daniel Axford at the Bingham Lake Methodist Parsonage. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Margaret “Marge”, Floyd, Katherine “Kitty”, Barbara Ann, and Bruce. Shortly after their marriage, in 1951, Charles and Emily began to farm just outside of Windom in Lakeside Township. While Charles tended to animals and crops, Emily made their house a home. She loved to garden and to use that food in the kitchen when she cooked and baked. You could find her favorite flowers, irises and gladiolas, scattered throughout. Emily spent hours working on beautiful sewing, knitting, and crocheting projects.
She was a lifelong believer in the Methodist faith and was an active member of the United Methodist Women as well as the Lakeside Extension Group.
On November 6, 2002, Charles passed away. After his death, Emily continued to live on the farm until November of 2018, when she became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society – Sogge Memorial in Windom. She remained there until she passed away peacefully, on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the age of 94 years.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Margaret Svoboda of Windom; Floyd (Barb) Axford of Windom; Katherine (Jens) Hansen of Windom, Bruce Axford of Windom; nine grandchildren, John (Terri) Svoboda of Jackson, Daniel Svoboda of Windom, Jason (Angie) Axford of Amerit, Brian (Heidi) Axford of Spirit Lake, IA, Amanda Axford of Farmington, Justin (Katie) Axford of Windom, Jennifer (CT) Hosmer of Volga, SD, Elizabeth (Matthew) Eich of Volga, SD; 19 great- grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; siblings, Leslie Schaffer of Windom; Jack (Rosemary) Schaffer of Windom; Donald “Tom” Schaffer of Windom; Dorothy Schaffer of Mankato; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Emily was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Axford; parents, Clarence and Margaret; daughter, Barbara Ann Axford; grand-daughter, Janet; one great-great-grandson; brother, Kermit Schaffer; infant sister, Ellen Schaffer; sisters, Mary (Paul) Choiniere, Katherine (Lennie) Soleta; parents-in-law, Angus and Esther Axford; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, William (Shirley) Axford, Audrey (Dale) Carter, Robert (Kathleen) Axford, Douglas Axford, Marilyn (Harlen) Fisk, Frances Schaffer, and Gail Schaffer. A Celebration of Life Service was held Fri., Sept. 15, 2023, at the Windom Methodist Church, with Pastor Mike McInnis officiating. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery in Windom.
Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center. Condolences and memories of Emily may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com.
