Alvin was born in a home on a prairie to Nickolaus and Susanna (Wipf) Schaeffer. Alvin spent much of his early life on the family farm near Menno, SD. He attended Bender and Jamestown Schools through the 8th grade and then farmed full-time. He entered the military in 1952 during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged and remained a lifetime member of the VFW. Alvin returned to farming for a while then held various jobs before finally working for the City of Omaha for 25 years. He retired in 1995.

He married Deanna Doty and they were blessed with three children; Roger Wallace, Daniel Alvin and Rita Jean. After 8 years together, their marriage ended.

Later he married Alice Davis. They were blessed with a baby girl, Kimberly Ann, who unfortunately died shortly after her birth; then a son, Alvin Timothy (Tim). After 20 years of marriage, Alice passed away.

Later he married Sandra Gardner and gained two step-children, Scott and Tara. After 10 years of marriage, Sandra passed away.

Alvin was very strong in his Christian faith and read the Bible daily. He enjoyed the older hymns and had fond memories of the church he grew up in. He was a great fan of auctions and baseball, and never met a sausage that he didn't like. The one thing that Alvin loved most, was being "Grandpa" to "His Little Princess (Raina)", "The Big Guy (Warrin)", "Baby Isaac", "My Little Girl (Lynn)", "My Little Aaron and Corey" He certainly loved and adored his Schnickelfritzes (German word for ornery child).

His life will be celebrated by his 4 children and their spouses: Roger Schaeffer, Daniel and Alfreda Schaeffer, Bruce and Jeannie Vadner, and Tim and Amanda Schaeffer; 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, an older sister, Edna Fargo; many cousins, friends and acquaintances. He is preceded in death by his parents, two spouses, a daughter, Kimberly Ann, a step-daughter, Tara, and eight brothers and sisters: Elsie, Nettie, Herbert, Helmuth, Agnes, Reuben, Ruth and Hilda.