Thomas Schlachter
April 3, 1928 ~ March 5, 2009
Thomas F. Schlachter, age 80, of Gettysburg, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2009 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gettysburg with Fr. Jerry Kopel officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with full military honors. Visitation was held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary Service.
Tom was born on April 3, 1928 in Pierre, SD to Guy and Olive (Cronin) Schlachter. He graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1946. He attended South Dakota State University (SDSU) and graduated in 1950 with a degree in agronomy. While at SDSU, Tom earned his commission as a second lieutenant. After graduation he returned to Gettysburg to work in the family business, Schlachter Lumber, Inc.
In June of 1950, the US Air Force called him to active duty and he served until honorably discharged after the Korean Conflict.
Tom then returned to the family business where he was active until his death.
Tom was involved in numerous activities including Commander of Ralph Lieu Post of the American Legion, Lifetime member of the American Legion, Gettysburg City Council, Gettysburg Volunteer Fireman for 20 years, member of Potter County Historical Society and President of the Dakota Sunset Museum Board. He also served on the South Dakota Highway Commission. Tom was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a past recipient of the South Dakota Lumberman of the Year in 1994 and was awarded the Century Farm award in 2008.
Thomas married Janice (Fetherhuff) during a blizzard on January 6, 1962 in Gettysburg, SD.
He cherished conversing and spending time with his best friend and wife Janice. He also enjoyed his children and grandchildren, gardening, reading the Wall Street Journal, watching the Nightly Business Report, and traveling the globe. Dad also was the scorekeeper for the Firehouse Fireflies. He loved meeting new people and always made friends wherever he went whether it was in the mall or on a park bench in Paris. Tom had a passion for history and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Tom is survived by his wife of 47 years, Janice, three children, daughter, Patricia and husband Davoud Tehranfar of Weinheim, Germany, Kathleen of Gettysburg, and son Michael and wife Julene (Simon) of Gettysburg. He has five grandchildren: Dariush and Kathryn Tehranfar, Brayden, Nicholas, and Emma Kay Schlachter. Tom has one brother, Edward (Margaret) Schlachter of Hastings Nebraska, and one sister-in-law Carol Limoges of Vancouver, WA. He also has eight nephews, Steve, John, Mark, Paul, and Matthew Schlachter; Barry, Brian, and Craig Limoges and one niece Anne Schlachter.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1966, his father in 1976, and daughter Camille in 1965.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be directed to the Walsh Family Village, 801 E. 23rd St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Tom's arrangements.
MINISTER
Fr. Jerry Kopel
CASKETBEARERS
Dean Schmidtgall
Terry Weischedel
Rich Clark
Robert Houck
Delbert Ripley
Brian Worth
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Firehouse Coffee Crew
Dakota Sunset Museum Board & Staff
Potter County Historical Society
LECTOR & EUCHARISTIC MINISTER
Paul Houck
ALTAR SERVERS
Brody Schatz
Paige Cordell
USHERS
Pat Glodt
Morris Simon
Ray Theunissen
ORGANIST
Mary Steever
VOCALIST
Bill Keller
PLACING OF THE PALL
Jan, Patty, Kathleen & Mike
MUSICAL SELECTIONS
"Shepherd Me O God"
"Come to Me"
"You Are Mine"
"Song of Farewell"
"The King of Love My Shepherd Is"
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dearest Jan & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Hold Tom close in your memories. Always, Pat Harer, Jessica Vetter and families
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Tom,our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most diffuclt time of your lives. Cherish every memory that you have.
Bart,Carmen,Preston and Paige Worth
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can just picture Tommy and Dad (John Cronin) hunting or fishing together up in Heaven. Whenever Dad spoke about Tommy, he did so with a twinkle in his eye. He loved him so.
I’m sorry to hear my friend Tommy, has passed. He was a good guy and a unique person in this world. He will be remembered by everyone. God will take good care of him. We will all see him later. Larry Traver
Tom kept score for the ” Fireflies Coffee Group at the Firehouse 6 days a week @ 10:00AM and 3:00PM six days a week for years”. We all will miss Tom and the stories we shared with each other many times over many years. God bless him and our parayers for him and Jan and their family.
Dear Jan and Family, I met Tom through the new store in Pierre and was fond of him. He was always quick to ask about my children and give me a story about his grandchilden whom he was very proud of. You and your family is in my prayers.
Dear Jan,Patty,Kathleen, Michael and families,
My heart goes out to all of you in the loss of Tom. He was always very welcoming when we came to hang out at your house. I will always remember him helping out at mass at Sacred Heart. The back pew will always be his spot in my eyes where he welcomed people into church and helped gather the offering, etc. i will remember his caring heart and big smile. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Candles will be lit for Tom and your family.
Love and Prayers,
Mary Nylander
I will miss my Uncle Tom. I think a lot of the credit for my father’s (Edward) constant cheer and unflappable nature has to go to his older brother. This in turn has been passed down to me and my siblings – qualities that help us every day and especially in times like this.
To me Tom was always generous and approachable and nothing could make him laugh like sharing a fond memory.
I shall always have those of him.
Deep hugs to all of you during this difficult time! It won’t be the same at the lumber yard, especially when he always gave Kaitlyn a sucker and made instant friends! Keep ahold of all the happy memories.
I’m devastated. My very first job was in the lumber yard, and I worked there Saturdays and Summers for years. Tommy was a good friend to me, almost an older brother. He will be sorely missed. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Jan,Mike,Kathleen and family, I have had the destinct honor of knowing Tom for years and would like to convey my heartfelt sympathy in his loss. Toms memory will be forever in my mind as he was truly a very fine person.
Jerry Berg
Jan,Patricia,Kathleen and Michael:
Tom was like a “Dad” to me since I lost my own 1-1/2 yrs ago. Thank you for sharing him with me. I will never forget him. My thought and prayers are with you all. God Bless!
Our thouhgts and prayers are with you in the loss of Tom. Bill Davis & Cindy & Don Frost family
Dear Jan and Family, I am blessed to have known Tom as a kind, fun and generous man. My sincere sympathies to all of you.
Dear Jan,Patty,Davoud,Dariush,Kathryn
Kathleen,Michael,Julene,Brayden,Nicholas and Emma Kay
Each of you will have many precious memories to hold deep in your hearts as God gives you the time to mourn the loss of your dear husband,father,father-in-law and grandfather, In this time of loss,know that your friends are behind you-angels are beside you and that God is always with you
I have many fond memories of your family and Gettysburg when I taught there.
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Dear Jean, Patty, Kathleen and Michael: I’ve just learned abut Tom’s passing away. My prayers have always been with you, thou we haven’t been in touch lately, and they are specially now.
I’d like you to know he was a father to me, and I always reffer to him as Dad. He is in Heaven now, I’m sure.
I still recall that wonderful year I was part of the family, and I’m deeply grateful. Grateful to you and to Almighty God that made that possible. And Dad was special.
Mrs. Schlachter, Patti, Kathleen, and Michael,
You all have my family’s deepest sympathies for the loss of your husband and father. I have only fond memories of Tom when I was playing at your house as a youngster. He never raised his voice or had a harsh word for us and some of us sure deserved it. It is still hard to believe he is gone. You are in our prayers.
Eric Jensen and family