George A. Schlegel

George Schlegel, 82, of Spokane, Wash., passed away peacefully on Feb. 26, 2017, from heart complications at his home. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Interment will be held in Anchorage, Alaska. George was born in Black River Falls, Wis., on April 26, 1934, to Ernest and Rosa Schlegel. He graduated from Lutheran High School in 1952 in Racine, Wis. He served in the U.S. Army and was active duty during the Korean conflict. He married his sweetheart, Marjorie, on Dec. 15, 1956, in Marinette, Wis. She was the love of his life and they were married for 60 years. He worked in accounting and business management for 46 years in the oil industry. He and Marjorie started their life together in Racine, Wis., and followed job promotions to Tulsa, Okla., then Indianapolis, Ind., then Charlotte, N.C., and his final career move to Anchorage. There he took on the position of Controller /Assistant Treasurer for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. He witnessed the completion of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. He retired in May 1995, and relocated to Soldotna, Alaska, where he was closer to one of his favorite pastimes, fishing the Kenai River. In 2004, he moved to Spokane. He returned to Alaska every summer to fish the Kenai River. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Judy Richter and Margaret Sorensen of Racine, Wis.; his stepsister, Evelyn; and stepbrothers, Harold and Raymond. George is survived by his wife, Marjorie; and their three children; son, Mike Schlegel and wife Christina; daughter, Pamela Webber and Park; and son, John Schlegel and wife Marija of Australia; grandchildren Ashley Martin, Keith Webber and Benjamin, Alexander, Ethan and Noah Schlegel; great-grandchild, Addison Martin; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Family was very important to George. He always supported his children and grandchildren by attending all their sporting events, scouting activities and school graduations. He emphasized how important it was to get a good education. He was a devout Lutheran, a Christian who held the Lord close to his heart. He enjoyed his many years as Scoutmaster, hiking the Appalachian Trail, going to National Jamborees and coaching his son's baseball teams, from t-ball through American Legions. His hobbies were woodworking and fishing. He loved to take pictures to document family milestones. The cabin on the Kenai River was a special place. We ask that donations in his memory be made to Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, Boy Scout Troop 27, 10955 Elmore Rd., Anchorage, AK 99516. This is the Boy Scout troop of Ben and Alex Schlegel, George's grandsons.