Wilbert A. Schlesselman, 97, of rural Concordia, MO, was called home by the Lord on Thursday, August 31, 2023, doing what he loved to do, working, and where he loved being, on his farm.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 15, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia with Pastor Michael Pottschmidt and Pastor Andrew Lehenbauer officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that memorials be made to the Dr. Jon D. Schroeder Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
W.A. Schlesselman was born on July 17, 1926, in rural Concordia to Arthur Schlesselman and Louise Schlueter Schlesselman. He had lived in the Concordia area his entire life except for time spent while serving in the United States Army. Throughout his life W.A. witnessed many monumental events such as being raised by his father, Arthur, and stepmother, Mary, on the family farm. Another one of those monumental events in his life was his marriage to Susie Koch on November 15, 1969, and celebrating the birth of two sons, Jerry and John. W.A. was blessed to live and work on his farm that was just down the road from where he was born, for the entirety of his 97 years. While there is no way to list or give an account of all the things done in his life some of the groups that W.A. will be remembered in are the Lafayette County Cattleman’s Association, Missouri Cattleman’s Association in which he was also awarded the 2013 Pioneer Award, the Missouri State Fair Beef House Founding Committee of which he was a charter member, and all those who will remember him as a participant in Shorthorn cattle showings around the Midwest.
Not to sound melodramatic, but to honor who W.A. was, it was said that he was “the last of the ole’ cowboys” and that was a true statement. From his signature cap that he always wore while working, to his “Sunday hat” for church, W.A. was definitely a true cattleman, rancher, and farmer in every aspect of his life. He was a man who loved and provided for his family and a man who had a faith and trust in God. His faith encouraged him to be a strong and active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where he had served in numerous capacities through the years including being an elder, trustee, and member of the choir. He was a strong supporter of the community and had served as a former member of the Concordia Fair Board and volunteered at the fall festival just up until the last couple of years. He liked music, and in addition to the church choir, he had been a member of the German Chorus. Following that fondness for music, W.A. was an excellent dancer. His absence in this life will be a change, but the family has great comfort of knowing because Jesus lives, the victory is won, and they will see him again.
W.A. is survived by his wife, Susie, of the home; two sons, Jerry Schlesselman of rural Concordia and John Schlesselman (Lisa) of Overland Park, KS; two grandchildren, Hudson and Harper; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and colleagues.
In addition to his parents and stepmother, W.A. was preceded in death by one brother, Vernon Schlesselman; and three sisters: Gladys Dierker, Vera Hemme, and Evelyn Ella Schlesselman in infancy.