Lindell Lee Schleif

Lindell Schleif was born in Nelson Nebraska on January 20, 1934 to Henry and Ida Schleif. He passed away in Fairbury, Nebraska on June 7th, 2014. He was baptized by Pastor Charles Bunge on March 4, 1934 and confirmed on Aug 17, 1947 by Pastor Reuter at Salem Lutheran Church in rural Nelson, Nebraska. He graduated from Nelson High School with the class of 1952. After graduation he served four years during the Korean War. He was an aircrewman and instructor in Aerial Navigation.

In 1959 he graduated from Kearney State College with a Bachelors degree in Biological Science and was married to Jean Brown of Fullerton, Nebraska. Two children were born to them, David Lin and Kristin Diane. He taught for 2 years in the North Platte Public Schools.

In 1961 he entered Colorado State University and received his Master’s degree in Biological Science. He was employed by the Nebraska State Game Commission as a Fisheries Research Biologist until he became a teacher in the Fairbury Public Schools. He spent several summers furthering his education at Wisconsin State College, The University of Oklahoma, Western State College and the University of Nebraska. He retired from teaching in 1993.

He was a member of the American Lutheran Church serving for 12 years as secretary of the church council. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Nebraska State Professional Practices Commission, The National Audubon Society, The Sierra Club and the Fairbury Garden Club. Hobbies included fishing, gardening, and support and development of wildlife habitat.

Family members include wife Jean of Fairbury; daughter Kristin Frederick of Canyon Country; sister Lorena (John) Overing; sisters-in-law Rose Schleif and Vernitta Brown; brothers-in-law Bill Biggs and Robert (Betty) Brown; grandchildren Linsey, Thomas, Aaron, Jason and Jared Stoll of Archer, Iowa; and Karli and Jacob Frederick of Canyon Country, California; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, son David in 1996, sisters Juanita Van Liew and Aletha Biggs, brother Marvin, nephew Grant Schleif and niece Kim Lee.

Services will be Thursday June 12th at 10:30 a.m. at the American Lutheran Church in Fairbury. The family will greet friends on Wednesday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the American Lutheran Church. Interment will be at a later date. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of the arrangements.