Harold Schlechte

Harold L. Schlechte, the son of Henry and Clara (Naber) Schlechte, was born on May 4, 1913 in York County. He became a child of God through baptism on June 1, 1913, and was confirmed on April 10, 1927, at St. John Lutheran Church. Harold met Eileen Tietmeyer when they were paired up at a Walther League box supper. On September 5, 1937, they were united in holy matrimony. The Lord blessed them with almost 60 years of marriage and two children—Roger and Linda. Harold farmed in the Waco area for many years. He was one of the first farmers in the area to use deep well irrigation. In 1978 Harold and Eileen built a new home in York. He continued farming for another year. They became members of Faith Lutheran Church in York. Harold was very active in his church as an elder, member of the School Board, and member of the finance committee. He also served on the Waco Public School Board and the Soil Conservation Board. He was active in the York County Livestock Feeders Association, and one year he was named York County Livestock Feeder of the Year

After living in York County for 91 years, Harold decided it was time to be closer to his immediate family. In March 2005 he moved to an assisted living facility in Denver to be near his son, Roger. It was a very positive move for him—he made many new friends, participated in worship and fellowship events at Emmaus Lutheran Church, and enjoyed outings with Roger and Karen as well as time at their house. He died peacefully at Covenant Village of Colorado on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 where he had lived for the past nine months. Harold appreciated his caregivers and it was obvious that they loved and cared about him.

Harold is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Eileen, brother Melvin and sister Verna. He is survived by his son, Roger and his wife Karen of Lakewood, Colorado; his daughter, Linda and her husband, Howard of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; grandsons, Todd and his wife, Birgit Schlechte of Lincoln, NE; Keith and his wife, Nicola Schlechte of Navarre, Florida; Jay and his wife, Sheila Schlechte of St. Paul, MN; Jeremy Petch of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and great-granddaughters, Alexandra, Elena and Katrina Schlechte of Navarre, Florida; and Miriam Schlechte of Lincoln; his brother, Wilbur, of Hearthstone, York, NE; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 20, 2007, at Faith Lutheran Church, York, NE with the Reverend Arthur Schauer and Harold’s son, Reverend Roger Schlechte, officiating. Burial was in York’s Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries or Emmaus Lutheran School of Denver, CO.