John Schlick

John Schlick, 75, of Willmar, died of a heart attack at the St. Cloud hospital on April 26, 2025. His Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 pm, Monday, May 5 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Spicer City Cemetery. A video of the service can be found here. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

John was born in St. Cloud, on January 8, 1950 to Edwin and Ada (Tekippe) Schlick. He grew up on the family farm in St. Martin. He was a free spirit from birth. After graduating from Paynesville High School, he completed automotive technician training at Willmar Vo-Tech. He then enlisted in the Navy SeaBeees serving as a heavy equipment repair technician. He was at Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, from 1970-71. He was very proud of his military service.

After the Navy, he spent about seven years learning to service and repair motorcycles at Apol's Harley Davidson in Raymond. He then "settled down" to a 35-year career as an over the road, long haul, owner operator, truck driver, doing mostly runs to the east coast and Texas. He drove K-Whopper Binders and told Freightliner jokes. "Remember, if you've got it, a truck brought it." John retired 10 years ago, at age 65, when electronic log books ruined the freedom of the road for him.

He loved motorcycles, cars, and trucks. He has owned many classics, starting with a Ducati 250 as a high school sophomore and a Sportster XLCH as a senior. He has owned and used hard a Vincent Black Shadow, a Jaguar XKE, a Lotus Elan, and many Harleys. Over his lifetime, he wore out a BMW R69S and an R90S on epic cross-country jaunts. He was not known for slow riding.

In February of 1989, John married Loretta Fenstra. The next morning, they left for Texas on a honeymoon trip in a 1954 Plymouth. They moved a house onto a large lot north of Willmar that already had a shop/shed for John's trucks and toys. It has been their Ponderosa for the 36 years of their marriage. They fed birds and played with old vehicles.

John was a very good man. He was smart with a flawless memory for places and events.  He had an amazing sense of humor that none who knew him will ever forget. He kept in touch, and maintained innumerable lifelong friendships. He was invariably kind to his wife. John was especially cherished by his two grandsons, Jae and Chase McLaren, and nephews Greg and Steve Lauer. John spent much time with these four boys as they grew up and taught them many skills.

John is survived by his widow, Loretta; step-daughters: Kathryn McLaren and Janet (Richard) Cleveland; granddaughter, Karenda (Ben Dupont, fiancée) McLaren, grandsons: Jae (Jordanz Smith) McLaren and Chase McLaren. He is further survived by his brothers: Jim (Sharon) Schlick and Joe (Mary Jo) Schlick; brothers-in-law, Gary Lauer and Lyle (Mary) Hinnant.

John was preceded in death by his parents; step-daughter, Karen Fenstra; his sister, Anne (Gary) Lauer; step-son-in-law, Jim (Kathryn) McLaren; and sister-in-law, Linda Hinnant.

John will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. Of this legend, it is indeed true- there will never be another like him.

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