Obituary of Pete Schlichenmayer

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.â€? 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.