Chester Schlecht

Chester Schlecht, 75, Gackle, ND died Wednesday morning March 9, 2011 at the Jamestown Hospital in Jamestown, ND.

Chester Schlecht was born November 21, 1935 on the family farm 8 miles north of Fredonia, ND, the son of Godhielf Schlecht and Susie (Burkle) Schlecht. He received his elementary education from Finn School and Kulm High School and worked on the family farm.

He entered the US Army in 1953 and assigned to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic training and school. He served 2 years as a wheeled vehicle mechanic, both stateside and overseas in Germany during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1955 with the rank of PFC. He returned to Fredonia and worked for Brost Brothers as a mechanic.

He and Ruth Betsch were married June 30, 1957. They purchased a farm 14 miles Northwest of Fredonia until 1964 when they moved to a farm 11 miles south of Gackle.
Following the death of his wife in 2002 he continued to reside on the farm.

He and Frieda Brehm were married August 8, 2009. They made their home on his farm where they have resided.

He was a member of the Nazareth Congregational Church in Fredonia, ND. He also was a member of the American Legion Post 260, the V.F.W. and D.A.V.

He is survived by his wife, Frieda; children, Ricky Schlecht, Gackle, ND; Sandra (Steve) Rupp, Edgeley, ND; Mary (Don) Cofell, Berlin, ND; Randy (special friend Cathy Hoeckle) Schlecht, Gackle, ND; Gary Schlecht, Gackle, ND; stepchildren, Tim (Deb) Brehm, Baldwin, ND; Hedy Gallagher, Jamestown, ND; Deborah (Brian) Lippert, Carson City, NV; 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchildren; 8 stepgrandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Wesley (Connie) Schlecht, Edgeley, ND; Solomon S. (Judy) Schlecht, Edgeley, ND; 1 sister, Murhel (Jim) Carlson, Ellendale, ND; a special family friend Sandra Raab, Dickinson, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth; 1 grandson, Travis, 1 step-grandson,
Mike,brother Oliver Schlecht and sister Selma Groth.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday March 15, 2011 at the Nazareth Congregational Church in Fredonia, ND with Rev. Bernie Jasken, officiating.

The interment will be at the Kulm Cemetery in Kulm, ND in the spring.
Visitation 1-5 Sunday 3/13/11 at the Funeral Home in Gackle and 9-8 Monday at the Funeral Home in Jamestown, ND.
Prayer Service: 7:00 PM Monday at the Haut Funeral Home - JAMESTOWN
Arrangements are with the Haut Funeral Homes; Jamestown and Gackle, ND.