Harold Schlender

Harold Eugene Schlender, 76 of Pawnee City, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Harold was born on March 3, 1940 in Tecumseh, Nebraska to William Harold and Marie (Pierce) Schlender.

Harold grew up in Tecumseh and graduated from Tecumseh High School with the class of 1958.  The following  January he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for four years.  He did his basic training in San Diego followed by Basic electricity and Electronic School.  Upon completion of Electronic school he was assigned to the U.S.S. Rooks DD804, a Navy destroyer in Newport, Rhode Island for one and half years.  His ship participated in Project Mercury.  This was the Freedom Seven Flight with Alan Shepard, the first man in space.

The second ship Harold was assigned to was the U.S.S. Wallace L Lind DD 703.  In 1962 this ship participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis.  After completing his four years of service, Harold returned to Tecumseh and began his career of 35 years with the Lincoln Telephone/Telegraph Company, retiring in 1997.

Harold married Virginia (Hazen) Wright on August 4, 1964 at the Tecumseh United Methodist Church.  Harold and Virginia were blessed with three children, Ric, Cindy and Jeff.

Harold was an active member of the community.  He was a member of the Pawnee County Jaycees, American Legion Post 168, and VFW Post 5289.  Harold moved through the chairs and eventually became State Commander of the Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars from 2013-2014.  He continued to serve veterans as the commander of the local VFW post.

Harold was preceded in death by his mother Marie Neihart, father William Schlender, stepfather, Clarence Doty, Sr., sister, Judy Stauffer, brother, George Doty and grandson Andrew Lee Johnson.

Harold is survived by his wife Virginia of Pawnee City, NE, daughter Cindy Johnson of Pawnee City, NE, sons, Rick Schlender Richardson, TX,  Jeff (Jana) Schlender of Kearney, NE, his younger brother, Clarence Doty Jr. (Janet) of Tecumseh, NE, brother-in-law Jim Stauffer (Paulette) of Tecumseh, grandchildren, Natasha Johnson of Pawnee City, NE, Samantha Johnson of New York, NY, Easton Schlender of Houston, TX, Kyle Schlender of San Marcos, TX, Trey Schlender of Kearney, NE, Cameron Schlender of Peru, NE, Jorie, Jarin, and Jentri Schlender of Kearney, NE, many nieces, nephews and loving friends.

Funeral Services 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 17, 2016 at Pawnee City United Methodist Church. Officiating Reverend Sherry Sklenar.  Visitation on Sunday, October 16, 2016 from Noon-8 p.m., family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. at Wherry Mortuary, 919 G Street, Pawnee City, Nebraska.

Interment and committal services at 2:30 p.m. at the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska.  Full Military Rites provided by the United States Navy and the Pawnee City VFW Post 5289.  Memorials to family choice.  Online condolences may be left at www.wherrymortuary.com.

 Service Information