Gordon Dee Schlegel

A much loved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to all he met, Gordon Dee Schlegel, born December 9, 1938, was taken to be with the Lord Monday, April 10, 2023.

Hailing from the cornhusker state and always a Nebraska fan, Gordon was born to Dell and Elma Schlegel in Geneva, Nebraska in 1939. He went on to graduate from a very small high school in Milford, Nebraska-class of 1956. Immediately following high school, he was off to the United States Marine Corps at age 17, where he spent time on active duty and reserve duty until he was honorably discharged from honest and faithful service in 1963. In the Marines, Gordon came to love the Willys jeep, having been a driver. Some may recall his old Willys finishing up part of its life cycle in front of Wickenburg Paint. Foregoing college to serve his country, he still was proud of his three credit hours earned at Purdue University.

After the Marine Corp, Gordon went on to a lifetime of working as a claims adjuster in the insurance industry, starting his career at State Farm in Nebraska, Missouri, and Indiana. He then went to multiple regions of Michigan working for Michigan Claim Service. He then finished up his long career at Ohio Casualty in Southeast Michigan after almost 30 years of service, retiring in 1995.

During his career, he was involved in the Michigan Adjusters Association as a past president and treasurer and was also a member of the Detroit Adjusters Association and Toastmasters International.

Gordon enjoyed his time having fun with friends and family, which often included a tasty adult beverage. He enjoyed bowling, playing cards or dominoes, square dancing and road racing at Waterford Hills racetrack alongside his wife, Sandra. They especially enjoyed traveling all over the world together.
Gordon and his bride of almost 50 years spent vacations and free time scouting the southwest for a place to retire in the sun. After much searching, Gordon settled in Wickenburg. Not ones to sit around, he and Sandy embarked on a new business adventure together when they purchased Wickenburg Property Management after retiring "out west."

Everyone who knew Gordon will recall that he was very active in various community groups and organizations over the years. Early on a member and officer of the Jaycees, longtime member and officer of the Oakland County Sportsman's Club, and Michigan United Conservation Club. After moving to Wickenburg, he became a lifelong member of the Wickenburg Elks, where he devoted a lot of time and energy not only as a member but also volunteering time for numerous community activities, along with being the club secretary for many years.

After retiring, Gordon and Sandy became members of Saint Alban's Episcopal Church community in Wickenburg. Being a part of the Saint Albans community, Gordon spending multiple years as the junior warden.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Del and Elma Schlegel of Milford, NE; older brother, Marvin U. Schlegel and wife, Anne, of Lincoln, NE; and son Eric Molaski of Wickenburg.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Sandy Schlegel; mother-in-law, Betty Hanson of Wickenburg, AZ; son Joseph (Nichole) of Boyne City, MI; daughter in law Tracy (Eric) Molaski of Wickenburg; and grandchildren, Madison and Allen Robert; nephews Timothy Schlegel and Thomas (Mari) Schlegel and their three children, Micah, Josiah and Myah; all of Lincoln, NE; and plus too many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews to mention back in Michigan and North Carolina.

A popular saying you see everywhere proclaims, "Live, Laugh, Love," which really does sum up the way Gordon went through life. His was a life truly well lived. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fraternal Order of Elks; St. Labre, Wyoming; or St. Jude's in his name. Services will be announced later through David's Desert Chapel.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gordon Dee Schlegel, please visit our floral store.