LeRoy ""Pete"" Henry Schlauderaff

LeRoy ""Pete"" H. Schlauderaff, age 86, of Litchfield died on Sunday, December 22, 2013, at the Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 27, 2013, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 26, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery at 2:00 PM on Friday with Military Honors by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. LeRoy Henry Schlauderaff was born in Glencoe on September 12, 1927. His parents were Edward and Elsie (Kottke) Schlauderaff, and he was an only child – their pride and joy. LeRoy was given the nickname Pete in grade school by his friends, which stuck with him throughout life. Pete graduated from Glencoe High School in 1945 and served two years in the Army as a part of peace keeping efforts post-World War II. When he returned, he joined his father in their family owned farm implement business in Glencoe. During the summer of 1947, on a warm summer night, he met Lorraine (Larry) Kuhlmann at a local ballroom; she was wearing a yellow dress. Shortly after, they fell in love, married the next spring (June 1948), and remained together until her death last spring, celebrating nearly 65 years of marriage. In 1952, Pete bought the business from his father and it flourished. They added additional lines of business and dabbled in appliance and car sales. Pete and Larry's family grew too, and by the mid-1960s, they had a full house in Glenview Woods (a housing development near Glencoe) with five children. They enjoyed their friends and their life at Glenview Woods very much. The early 1970s brought a career change for Pete. He sold the implement dealership and joined First National Bank in Glencoe as the Vice President. After seven years at the bank, the family added on to their lake home on Lake Minnie Belle and moved to Litchfield. He yearned to be a business owner again and started a new farm implement dealership in Litchfield. Pete enjoyed owning the business but what he really liked was selling and talking to people. Selling equipment remained one of his favorite pass times throughout life. In addition to a successful business owner, Pete enjoyed being a part of community organizations. He was a member of the Glencoe School board, Chamber of Commerce, VFW, Rotary Club, Alcoholics Anonymous, Lake Minnie Belle Improvement Association, Gideons, and many other professional associations. He was also an active member of countless church committees in Glencoe and Litchfield – strongly believing the church community was an extension of his family. In general, Pete was the kind of guy that was just easy to be around. He was a good listener, quick to laugh and had an infectious smile. Pete had a spunky sense of humor and a quick wit. He loved going out for breakfast or coffee, chewing on toothpicks after a meal and sweets of any kind. Pete also had an uncommon style and grace which he kept throughout his life. He always looked sharp, and always had a kind word for those around him. Pete's passions in life included his family, people and anything with an engine. He loved cars, and especially enjoyed driving around seeing the country-side - assessing community changes, the growth of crops and chatting with anyone that crossed his path. Pete had incredible penmanship and fabulous math skills – both remained with him until his stroke last week. He also was a great water skier (annually on aluminum skis until age 80), unbelievable dancer and outstanding figure skater. Pete was also a daily walker. But what he really enjoyed was spending time in his garage – whistling, sweeping, shining cars and playing country music; sometimes even a few polkas if the mood was right. During, Pete and Larry's married life they loved the Lord and they loved each other. They had amazing adventures – throwing lively parties, traveling internationally many times and experiencing all that goes with raising five kids and owning a business. But loving the Lord is what it was all about for them. We are ever so thankful that they are now back together in heaven. Pete is survived by his five children, Mary Malone of Minnetonka, John (wife-Beth) Schlauderaff of Litchfield, Lynn (husband-Doug) Stuewe of Glencoe, Sara Schlauderaff of Forest Lake and Charlie Schlauderaff of Litchfield; thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Lorraine Schlauderaff. Previous Events Visitation Thursday, December 26, 2013 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Friday, December 27, 2013 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Friday, December 27, 2013 2:00 PM Riplely Cemetery 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355