Arle Wallace Schlecht

Arle was born in Fredonia, North Dakota on October 4, 1933 to Jacob and Esther Schlecht. At a young age, Arle and his mother and siblings moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota where they attended school. Arle then went back to Kulm High School (North Dakota) to finish out his education and on August 26, 1951 married Norma Young from Merricourt, North Dakota and enjoyed 73 years of marriage.

While in Aberdeen, Arle and Norma brought 2 children into their lives, Arlie Jr. and Virginia (Ginny). Shortly after, the family moved to Willmar, Minnesota where Arle owned and operated Arle’s Sinclair. During this time their third child was born, Lane. After the birth of Lane, the family then moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota, where Arle was offered a Service Manager position at Plowman Motors, Inc. (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury dealership). In 1974, Arle took a Vice President position at Crow River Motors (Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth dealership) and then returned to Plowman’s a couple years later as Vice President and eventually Co-Owner of Plowman’s until his retirement.

Arle was active in the community, serving on the board of Marquette Bank as well as the board of his church (First Congregational United Church of Christ, which became New Journey). He advanced through multiple levels of the Masons and in 1969 was one of the first individuals responsible for the beginning of the Hutchinson Elks Lodge; A charter member and soon served as the chapter’s second Exalted Ruler.

He bowled for years, then turned to golf, which he grew to love. Yearly trips to California, Arizona, and Nevada in the winter to visit family members and golf became his ritual when he decided to retire. He also loved golfing with his friends at the Crow River Country Club, which was pretty much a daily occurrence, since they lived only a block away. When not golfing, he kept busy with a beautiful yard, making sure the birds and other backyard creatures were well fed.

Arle is preceded in death by his father Jacob Schlecht, and his mother Esther McKenny, brothers Larry Schlecht and Norbert Schlecht and sister Dorothy Nelson and brother-in-law, Richard Nelson.

He is survived by his wife Norma, daughter Ginny Zeyer, sons Arlie Jr. (Kathleen), Lane (Donna) and sister Marilyn Harbuck. He is also survived by his grandchildren; John Charles Zeyer (Ann), Lindsay Zeyer, Matthew Schlecht, Samantha Jergenson (Troy), Mackenzie Childress (Chris), Shawn Johansen (Kayla), Tyler Johansen, Stephanie Fratzke (Jason), Amber Brick (Jesse), Cassandra Medinger and numerous Great Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews.

Blessed is his memory.

A gathering for friends and family will be held at a future date.