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Emil Edward
(Pete) Schlichenmayer (2006)
(December 25, 1913 - July 15, 2006)
Pete Schlichenmayer, age 92, died at Family
Health West in Fruita, CO, on July 15. He was born December 25, 1913 (the fourth
of ten children) to Gottlieb and Magdalena Weisshaar Schlichenmayer on the
family homestead north of Bethune, CO.
Pete lived nearly all of his life in Kit Carson
County, and what a life it was. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors,
Germans from Russia, Pete survived the dark days of the Great Depression and the
Dust Bowl with strength and determination. As a young man, he farmed the
homestead with his father and brothers and later worked the crops in California,
getting there by riding the tops of railroad cars. One of his favorite pastimes
was performing on a radio station in Greeley, CO, singing country and western
songs that included his favorite, “I Thought I Had the World by the Tail Until I
Met You.”
His true calling, however, was auctioneering. He
began as an apprentice at age 14 and for the next 69 years worked farm and
livestock sales in Eastern Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas. The culmination of his
auctioneering career came in 2004 when he received a lifetime achievement award
from the Kit Carson County Cattlemen’s Association, only the second such award
ever given. Pete never raised his commission rates and often didn’t charge for
his services, especially for families who would barely break even on an auction.
His charitable work also included serving for many years as auctioneer for 4-H
sales at the county fair and St. Charles Catholic Church’s annual bazaar in
Stratton, CO.
A true gentleman, Pete was a man of integrity and
honesty, who, with a tip of his signature Stetson hat and a firm handshake, made
friends and promises he always kept. A man of kind heart and good humor, he was
a loving father, grandfather and husband. With his faith and trust in the Lord,
he set an outstanding example for others to follow.
Pete is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean;
sons Larry (Michielle) of Fruita, CO, and Edward (Pam) of Westlake, OH; daughter
Ree (Michael) Thompson of Aurora, CO, and adopted daughter Iris (Darrell) Roths
of Arapahoe, CO. His family also includes ten grandchildren, nine great
grandchildren and one great, great grandson. Also surviving are two brothers,
Rudy of Burlington, CO, and Vernon of Chadron, NE. Preceding him in death were
his parents, two sisters, five brothers and one granddaughter.
Services will be held July 21, 2006, at 10:00 AM
at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington, CO, with Pastor Bill Viergutz
officiating. Internment was held at Claremont Cemetery in Stratton, CO.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the
Love Funeral Home in Burlington.
Memorials may be made in Pete’s name to Trinity
Lutheran Church in Burlington, CO, or Immanuel Lutheran Church of Bethune, CO,
and can be sent to the Bank of Burlington, 410 14th St., Burlington, CO 80807.
Remembrances may be sent to Jean Schlichenmayer &
family, 3203 N. 15th St., Unit 307, Grand Junction, CO 81506.
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