Robert W. Schlekewy

Robert "Bob" William Schlekewy, age 85 of Cannon Falls, passed away peacefully at home on Friday evening, May 16, 2025.

Bob was born on September 9, 1939 in Britton, SD, and was the first child of Robert A. and Luella M. (Samson) Schlekewy. He grew up in Eden, SD on the four-generation Schlekewy family farm. He graduated from high school from Roslyn, SD in 1957. 

Bob joined the U.S. Army in late 1957, and was in the Airborne Division with 54 total jumps. He decided to transfer after two memorable experiences. In a midnight exercise, he landed upside down in a forest and was found the next morning. In his last jump, Bob shared a harrowing tale of a fellow company member who saved his life. When his parachute would not open, another airborne soldier dove down to him and used a knife to cut open his parachute sack before opening his own. On rare occasions, Bob would share that he was stationed at the same base in Germany as Elvis Presley in 1958. Bob was promoted to an E-5 Sergeant during his service time, and was honorably discharged in 1960. 

Bob worked in construction, including welding the upper floors of the IDS Tower in Minneapolis. He found his true vocation as an Operator and Steam Engineer with Pine Bend Refinery in Rosemount, MN. He loved the camaraderie at the refinery, and enjoyed sharing stories with his team. Bob was a proud member of Paper Allied-Industrial, Chemical, and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) local 6-662. 

Bob married the love of his life Judy M. (Osmondson) Schlekewy in Hastings, MN in 1972. They bought a hobby farm outside of Cannon Falls, and quickly had a menagerie of animals, a huge garden, and farmland to tend. They had two children, Debra and Jason. After more than two decades on the farm, they moved to the West Side neighborhood in Cannon Falls and enjoyed the company of their wonderful neighbors for over three decades. 

Bob became a member of the Sportsman’s Club in 1972, and was an officer of the organization for many decades. He organized and taught gun safety training at the club for 40 years, and was officially recognized by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for his long training service. Bob lovingly tended to Cannon’s Trout Pond for more years than we can count, and his kids loved feeding the fish with him on the weekends. Bob was a long-time regular of the early morning “Table of Knowledge” coffee group at the Cannonball from the early 1970’s until it closed in late 2013, then at Cannon Belles. 

Survivors include his loving wife Judy; daughter Deb (Greg) Gramza; son Jason (Heather) Schlekewy; granddaughter Reegan Schlekewy; sister Sandra “Sandy” Rumpza; brother Lon Schlekewy; step-sisters Sandy (Marshall) Meyer and Darlene Buchanan; nieces Brenda (Scott) Lichtenberg, Mary Rumpza, Susan (Dale) Knudson, and Linda Murray; nephew Brian (Cheri) Rumpza; great-nephews Andrew (Stephanie) Lichtenberg, Brent (Kristy) Lichtenberg, Brandon (Caitlin) Lowe, and Bryce Rumpza; great-niece Brooke (Zach) LeCuyer; great-great nieces Annie K. Lichtenberg and Bonnie LeCuyer; and great-great nephew William Lichtenberg, and many other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Larry Schlekewy; niece Bonnie (Gregg) Lowe; step-sister Janet (Roger) Navratil, and step-brothers Bobbie Rumpza, Genie Rumpza, and Ronnie Rumpza.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28 at the First Congregational Church in Cannon Falls, and memorial services will follow at 11 a.m. Hot lunch from Bob’s favorite restaurant will be served following the service.

After the memorial service, join Bob's family and friends to celebrate his life at his second home, the Cannon Falls Sportsman's Club at 32970 Oxford Mill Road. Bring your stories of Bob, enjoy his favorite refreshments, and card games in community together.

*Please note: Disability parking is available on the West side of First Congregational Church by the front door. The church is fully accessible with a ramp entrance and an elevator to all floors. Disability parking is available at the Sportsman’s Club on the South side of the building. Park next to the double doors to enter without any stairs. There are stairs at the building’s West entrance.