Shirley Marie Blanche Schlechte, age 89 of Akron, CO passed away on September 5, 2025 at the Harmony Home in Yuma, CO. Shirley was born in Yuma on January 25, 1936, the youngest daughter of Elmer and Dorothy Heater. The Heater family lived south of Otis on a farm. She attended Otis schools.
Shirley married Clarence Schlechte in 1951 in Otis. Their first daughter, Beverly Ann, was born on July 4, 1951. Their second daughter, Elaine Kay was born June 23, 1953. They lived in Otis, and they continued working the farm with Clarence’s parents. They moved to Denver in 1955 where Shirley got a key punch operator job at Montgomery Wards. She was there for 27 plus years.
Clarence and Shirley raised their two granddaughters Shannon and Lori, and moved to Akron in 1989.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers and sisters. She is survived by daughters Beverly and husband Ed Stockham of Akron, Elaine and husband Cecil Paxton of Denver; granddaughters Shannon and husband Billy Underwood of Denver, Lori and husband Sam Pieper of Yuma; step-grandson Matthew Detch of Indianapolis, IN and his son Jonathan Detch; three very special great-grandsons Cody Underwood, Nicholas Pieper, and Michael Pieper; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.
She enjoyed fishing, sewing, and helping in 4-H for her children and grandchildren. Later in life, she got into genealogy and family history. Her children and grandchildren were the delight of her life.
A funeral service will be held at Bowin Funeral Home on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Yuma Cemetery.