Eulogy for Frank Schledorn by Rev. Glover Wagner
Frank with daughter Lynn, grandson Mack, and great grandson Easton Frank Schledorn (2020).
Frank Schledorn graced this world for nearly a century. His life was a pure gift to those he loved and who loved him. His last words to me before leaving Bozeman and moving to his final home in Washington were these: “Have a good life.” Frank had a good life. I remember traveling with him by car to Miles City years ago for a UCC Conference Annual Meeting. Over the miles he told me about growing up on the farm in North Dakota. The life seemed hard and challenging to me, but I can’t help but think that those early prairie years cemented in him those values that would sustain his life: patience, resilience, and kindness.
Frank told me too about meeting and marrying Doris, about his service in World War II before being wounded in France, and about working as a civil engineer for the soil service. At the time Frank and I became acquainted he was reinventing himself through his passion for his Shaklee business. He was so enthralled with their wonderful products and the opportunity they afforded him to help people in their homes and in their health.
Helping people was what Frank was about. His generosity was second nature to him. What a blessing he was to his grandson, Mack and Brigitte’s daughters. When he felt his own home was just too much space for him, he offered it to others in need. His giving, loving nature was exemplified in the two great loyalties of his life: family and church. He and Doris were a remarkable team and I remember well his gentle, diligent care for her in her last years. After her death he was humble enough to seek grief counseling for himself. Frank’s willingness to face what was happening to him was a hallmark of his strength. He was a loving companion to Brigitte and so many of us enjoyed such festive gatherings in Lynn’s beautiful home.
There is no one word to say what Frank meant to Pilgrim Church. He and Doris were among those very few founding members and through the years Frank served in every capacity of Pilgrim’s life. I remember the great joy he felt when the new sanctuary was completed. The church expansion was the culmination of a dream that began in a small house on Black. I think now of the beautiful Founder’s Wall he created in the Memorial Garden. How appropriate that his ashes will be joined there with his wife Doris.
Frank was like a father to me and my life was so enriched by his presence. In my mind’s eye now, I see him sailing on Canyon Ferry Lake, traveling in his Holiday Rambler, Square Dancing with Doris, playing golf at Riverside. He so enjoyed life itself and the company of family and friends, watching a football game or Women’s basketball at MSU. His life is an inspiration for each of us to live truly and always strive to do what is right. Frank is gone now physically, but character never dies, integrity never dies, love never dies. Frank’s true essence lives now into God and into us as we carry him in our heart always.
Frank told me too about meeting and marrying Doris, about his service in World War II before being wounded in France, and about working as a civil engineer for the soil service. At the time Frank and I became acquainted he was reinventing himself through his passion for his Shaklee business. He was so enthralled with their wonderful products and the opportunity they afforded him to help people in their homes and in their health.
Helping people was what Frank was about. His generosity was second nature to him. What a blessing he was to his grandson, Mack and Brigitte’s daughters. When he felt his own home was just too much space for him, he offered it to others in need. His giving, loving nature was exemplified in the two great loyalties of his life: family and church. He and Doris were a remarkable team and I remember well his gentle, diligent care for her in her last years. After her death he was humble enough to seek grief counseling for himself. Frank’s willingness to face what was happening to him was a hallmark of his strength. He was a loving companion to Brigitte and so many of us enjoyed such festive gatherings in Lynn’s beautiful home.
There is no one word to say what Frank meant to Pilgrim Church. He and Doris were among those very few founding members and through the years Frank served in every capacity of Pilgrim’s life. I remember the great joy he felt when the new sanctuary was completed. The church expansion was the culmination of a dream that began in a small house on Black. I think now of the beautiful Founder’s Wall he created in the Memorial Garden. How appropriate that his ashes will be joined there with his wife Doris.
Frank was like a father to me and my life was so enriched by his presence. In my mind’s eye now, I see him sailing on Canyon Ferry Lake, traveling in his Holiday Rambler, Square Dancing with Doris, playing golf at Riverside. He so enjoyed life itself and the company of family and friends, watching a football game or Women’s basketball at MSU. His life is an inspiration for each of us to live truly and always strive to do what is right. Frank is gone now physically, but character never dies, integrity never dies, love never dies. Frank’s true essence lives now into God and into us as we carry him in our heart always.