Lawrence Schlechter
August 21, 1935 ~ May 13, 2018
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Lawrence Schlechter, 82, of Polo, passed away Sunday, May 13, 2018 at Faulkton Senior Living.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 18, 2018 at St. Liborius Catholic Church, Polo with Father Christopher Hughes presiding. Burial followed at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Polo with military honors. Visitation began at 6:30 p.m. followed by a 7:30 p.m. rosary and prayer service, Thursday, May 17, 2018, all at the church.
Lawrence (Lornie) Herman Schlechter was born August 21, 1935 to Conrad T. and Mary K. (Venjohn) Schlechter in Hand County. He attended St. Liborius Catholic Elementary School and graduate in 1953 from Fairview High School in Polo, S.D. After graduation, Lornie began working on the family farm. In 1957, Lornie joined the South Dakota Army National Guard. After his discharge, he returned to the family farm.
In 1959, Lornie and his brother, Paul, formed a partnership to take over the farm from their father. On November 13, 1962 Lornie married Vonna Gail Bucher at St. Liborius Catholic Church. To this union six children were born. Lornie was very active in his church and community. He was a member of the first parish council at St. Liborius Catholic Church. He also was the first lector/commentator and an extraordinary Eucharistic minister which he continued to do until his eyesight failed him. Lornie also sang in the church choir for 67 years.
Lornie was a member of the Polo school board for 29 years, serving as chairmen for 26 years. Lornie helped establish the Polo Fire Department and was a member for quite a few years. Lornie was a paid-up-for-life member of the Polo Legion Post #299; serving as chaplain for many years and a member of National Farmer’s Organization. Lornie enjoyed playing baseball with the amateur baseball team, loved dogs and horses and loved working cattle from the back of one of his favorite horses. Lornie’s greatest pride and joy were his children and grandchildren who could always bring a smile to his face.
Lornie is survived by five sons and one daughter: Richard (Rick), Polo; Terry (Mary Aesoph), Polo; Alan (Tara Johnston), Polo; Chad (Trixie Anderson), Polo; Julie Holida, Hayti; Andy (Deidra Yost), Polo. 17 grandchildren: Tyler Cooper, Jaron Schlechter & Konstantine Popov Schlechter; John, Ellen, and Grace Schlechter; Ashley and Lindsey Trollope, Nick Schlechter; Xavier, Jacob, and Hannah Schlechter; Joshua & Nathan Holida; Denae, VonnaGail, Aleah, and Terrell Schlechter and seven great grandchildren; one brother, Paul (Pearl) Schlechter; one sister-in-law, Kathryn Schlechter; and many nieces and nephews.
Lornie was preceded in death by his parents, Conrad and Mary; his wife, Vonna Gail; one brother, Maurice; one daughter-in-law, Jennifer (Aesoph) Schlechter; two granddaughters, Sofia and Hailei Schlechter.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Lawrence’s arrangements.
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Our most sincere sympathy to the family. We have good memories out of the past with REXALL Drug and Lawrence and Vonnie Gail. May Gods love and grace along with your good memories help ease your loss. H&K Meier
our sympathies for your loss.
Rest in peace. Love and prayers for a beautiful family. Lornie always made me feel at home and lit up every room when he smiled.
To the SCHLECTER family so sorry to hear about Lawrence he was one of a kind I have a lot of memories of him from my time in polo my coldences to the your family WAYNE STRATMEYER
A good man. He is at peace and is home with his love. The best thoughts and sympathy from our family to yours.
I want to express my sympathy to Lawrence’s family. He was a special cousin and friend.
Lorrnie was such a great cousin. He and Vonna Gail gave me and my family many wonderful memories when they let us stay in your home for the reunions. He was also a great jokester, I will miss him alot. God bless you all. I will keep you all in my prayers.
My deepest sympathy for your loss. Lornie, was a very friendly and jovial man. May he Rest In Peace with Vonna Gail, and our Lord.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
Rick, Terry, Al, Chad, Julie and Andy: So sorry for your loss. No matter how old, how young or if you’re expecting it or not, losing a family member is never easy. Your dad is finally with your mom after all these years! That is comforting to know. I will never forget your dad’s deep voice saying, "Hello there, Short One" every time he saw me. So many memories with your dad; too many to type. It would be great to chat and share stories. He was so sweet. God Bless you all. Take care.
So sad about you dads death. He is where he wanted to be. Amen
sorry to hear about Lornies passing. He did a lot of good for Polo.
I feel honored to have served with Lornie on the school board for almost 6 yrs. He was just an all around great guy! He will be very much missed and never forgotten. My deepest sympathy to all of you! Heaven gained another good one!! Gods Blessings to all of you! Deb Wilson
Our Sympathy to the families of Lornie Schlecter…we got acquainted with the Schlecters through NFO many years ago. Have some good memories and a lot of fun with Lornie and Vonna Gail. Always had a smile!!! RIP Lornie
Thoughts and Prayers for Lornie’s family. He was the neighbor that was always there to lend a hand, shoulder or a prayer in any time of need. He was one of the first people at our house when my sister passed away and offered unselfishly any assistance we needed at that time and many other times to not only us but the community as a whole. God Bless your family and know he will always be there in your hearts as he is now with our Lord.
We are sad to hear of Lornie’s passing and our thoughts are with all his family and friends during this difficult time. Lornie was special and one of a kind—may he rest in peace. God Bless.
I am so sorry to hear of Lornie’,s Passing. I just came back from a trip and Bill Ortmeier told me today. You all have my prayers and sympathy . I am sure he is with Vonna Gail in Heaven. God bless your family. Augusta
My sincere condolences to all of Lornie’s family and friends. What a wonderful man he was. I will always remember the fun times.
So sorry to see that you lost your dad, Rick! We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Cherish the memories!
Thinking of all of you. We are so sorry for your loss.
So so sorry for your loss! Lornie was such a special person and he will be missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
To Lornie’s family, Lornie’s funeral was a great celebration of the life of a wonderful man. His kindness and caring was always so appreciated. The memories I have of him will always be treasured. I know he is celebrating and singing in Heaven now that he and Vonna Gail are reunited. You all remain in my prayers.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. I’ll always remember Lornie’s voice in the choir. I’m sure he’s singing with the angel’s. So sorry for your loss!