Obituary of Lee R. Schlichenmayer

Lee Richard Schlichenmayer was born on September 11, 1939. He was born at home to Reinhart Otto (Sport) and Anna Louise Schlichenmayer, north of Bethune, Colorado. Lee was welcomed home by his two older sisters, Geraldine and Phyllis. His younger siblings, Ray, Dale and Linda were welcomed to the family over the following years. Lee departed his family on October 6th 2016. Lee married his wife Jacqueline Rosanne Fisher on November 28th 1960. Together, they enjoyed 55 years of marriage and had four children. Lee is survived by his wife Jacque of Wray, Colorado, and children, Mark Schlichenmayer and wife Kelsey of North Platte, Nebraska, Connie Wills of Westminster, Colorado, Valerie Fahrnow of Bucyrus, Kansas and Justin Schlichenmayer and wife Staci of Burlington, Colorado, 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Geraldine Carter of Lometa, Texas and his brother Dale Schlichenmayer and wife Roxanne of Evans, Colorado and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; Sport and Anna, his brother Ray Schlichenmayer and his sisters; Phyllis Hall and Linda Coles. Lee was raised on the family farm north of Bethune, Colorado in the “settlement”. Lee worked the family farm with his father and brothers. He acquired an enjoyment and appreciation for farming and developed a fascination for tractors. All young farm boys find ways to entertain themselves in the form of mischief. Lee fondly told stories of his boyhood. One of his favorites was the time he and his little brother Ray cut their hair. They took the clippers and shaved a strip from ear to ear over the tops of each other’s heads. To avoid trouble, they planted their hats firmly on their heads and proceeded to repair a fence without being asked too, all the time pondering their fate. Needless to say, his father, understanding mischievous boys, observed them fixing the fence and knew they were up to no good. Their secret was revealed at dinner time when they would not remove their hats…what happened then??? Well… use your imagination. Lee worked for several farmers in the communities of Idalia, and Burlington, Colorado and around Kanorado, Kansas. Lee also helped build and worked in the sugar factory in Goodland, Kansas and later closed the sugar factory in Greeley, Colorado. Lee grew up with music in his life. He taught himself how to play the guitar by ear, and bought his first guitar from the Sears and Roebuck’s mail order catalogue for just $12.00. Music was a large part of his life as a young man. Many weekends were spent with his neighbors, playing and singing till all hours of the night. Lee’s love of music carried into his family. He and his children would perform in church and many local events in Kanorado, Kansas. Lee also had a love for growing plants which continued throughout his life. While living in Greeley, Colorado Lee became a farmer of roses. He had 100 different varieties of roses which he kept pruned, fertilized and would talk to nightly. Later in life, he immortalized his passion for roses through creating metal roses. These he would willingly give to anyone who wanted one. Lee and Jacque lived in Greeley, Colorado from 1985 where lived until 2006. While there, he worked at the sugar factory until it closed and he retired. While living in Greeley, Lee and Jacque spent many weekends camping and hiking in the Colorado and Wyoming Mountains. Many times, Lee would have been seen with a grandchild being carried on his back. Otherwise, he was teaching them about an animal or wildflower that caught his eye. Lee’s greatest passion in life was his wife, Jacque. She was the love of his life and best friend, who he loved until the day he departed this earth. From his oldest son to his youngest granddaughter, his family has always been a source of joy and sunshine. Lee was also a father and friend to many in the communities where he lived. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need regardless of the situation. Many young people viewed Lee as a father and a mentor. They would lean on him for guidance and leadership and still call him friend today. Lee and Jacque relocated to Wray, Colorado on two acres of land. There, Lee built a shop and soon thereafter took up the hobby of restoring old tractors, growing a garden of metal flowers and tinkering the only way he knew how. He and Jacque also grew a small patch of land into a highly producing garden, which was shared with all who visited. Lee will be missed by all.