Charlie Kay Schaper

It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of our dear Charlie Schaper, age 4. Charlie passed away on April 4, 2025, after a 28-month battle with cancer. Charlie was born on February 3, 2021, to parents Carrie Rybak and Ryan Schaper. She lived in Beulah, ND with her mom, dad, sister, Jaedyn, and brother, Willie.

Charlie loved her kitties. She adored her three kitties at home, and when she couldn’t be with them, she always had her stuffed animal kitties with her. She had lookalikes for her real kitties, and a whole heap of other kitties too. Her favorite show was Bluey, and her favorite colors were purple and yellow, and while she did like the Vikings, it was not because of them. Charlie was happiest when she was at home where she could be with her siblings, lovingly known as “the guys.”  When Charlie wanted to be out and about, the family liked spending time at the zoo, Charlie never met an animal she didn’t like. Charlie and her family also enjoyed being out on the boat which inspired her love of fishing. Charlie had a horse she named Broccoli, there were multiple attempts at changing the name, but Charlie insisted on Broccoli. Charlie won. She knew what she wanted and had no problem telling you. Charlie was one feisty, sassy soul. She had the best smile and shared it often. Charlie loved rocking her hats, sunglasses, and her cowboy boots. The girl had style.

Charlie was such a spirited character, always so animated and full of love and laughter. She wore her heart on her sleeve and made friends wherever she went. Charlie spent a lot of time in the hospital, and when you saw her there, or saw pictures of her there, you’d think she was enjoying herself. There were a lot of tough times, but Charlie didn’t dwell on it. If she couldn’t get out of bed, she played catch with her nurses, making them do the work. She was the boss, and the care team joyfully gave her the reigns. Her care team became her extended family. They embraced her. Everyone did. You could feel Charlie’s love wherever she was, it radiated from her. Somehow, despite this unthinkable situation she was living through, this sweet little four-year-old knew how to live.

Charlie is survived by her parents, Carrie Rybak and Ryan Schaper; her siblings, Jaedyn and Willie; her kitties, Lola, Taco and Dr. Cheetles; her grandparents, Rick and Deb Rybak, Sheri and Rodney Miller, and Rob and Janelle Schaper; her great-grandparents, Willie Schaper, and Eunice and Ken Diehl; her aunts and uncles and their families, Noelle and Brian Steeke and their daughters Luella and Leah Steeke, Michelle and Doug Corson, Dane Schaper and his son Eli, Paige and Kennon Kirwan and their children Hannon and Myla, Madison and Dayton Mund and their daughter Alice Mund.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM CT on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Beulah, ND with Pastor Cody Halverson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charlie Kay Schaper, please visit our floral store.