Vernon James Schlichting

Vernon James Schlichting

1931 – 2012

Vernon J. Schlichting, 80, of Cloquet, passed away very peacefully on June 2, 2012, in the Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Royalton, Minn., on Sept. 29, 1931, and later moved with his family to Duluth. Vern was a young entrepreneur, selling Liberty Magazines with his brother Al at the young age of 9-10. He then ran a successful shoe­shine stand near the Greyhound Bus Depot for several years. Vern started his career with U.S. Steel at the age of 15. He worked as a crane operator, instrument repairman and foreman prior to his retirement at the age of 45. After retirement, he and his brother Al worked together repairing appliances. He also served in the U.S. Army. Vern loved the Minnesota Vikings and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He treasured his time spent at the hunting shack with his father, brother, and nephews. His greatest accomplishment in life was his family. He loved his daughter, stepchildren, sons-in-law, and grandchildren unconditionally and wholeheartedly. His family meant the world to him.

Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Caroline and Louis Schlichting, and his brother, Al. He is survived by his daughter, Shari (Ben) Horton of McGregor; grandsons Tyler and Laine Horton of McGregor and Justin Horton of Anoka; stepdaughters Kathy (Tim) Setterquist of Cloquet and Nan Brenny of Roswell, Ga.; stepson Larry Lee of Hamilton, Ohio; sisters Dorothy Claveau of Hibbing, Dee “Babe” (Roger) Bollinger of Camano Island, Wash.; many nieces, nephews, and a special friend and ex-spouse, Marian.

Visitation: Friday, June 8, 2012, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Inurnment services will be at Maple Grove Cemetery with Military Honors presented by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow at the funeral home. The family has selected Nelson Funeral Care of Cloquet to assist them with arrangements. See the family online guest book at www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.

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