Valeria Schlecht, 94, of West Point, died Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Franciscan Healthcare in West Point.  Funeral Mass will be 1:00pm on Friday, December 1 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point.  The funeral will be live streamed on the Stokely Funeral Home Facebook page at facebook.com/stokelyfuneralhome.  Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery with lunch following at the GACC Cafeteria.  Visitation will be Thursday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm with a Christian Mothers and Catholic Daughters Rosary at 1:30pm at Stokely Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue at church from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with a Vigil Service at 7:00pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Memorials will be directed by the family.  Arrangements by Stokely Funeral Home.

Valeria Theresa Schlecht was born on June 21, 1929 to Joe and Anna (Meiergerd) Knobbe on the family farm near Monterey. She attended St. Boniface Catholic School to the eighth grade and graduated from Guardian Angels High School in 1947 – boarding at the convent during the week. On October 3, 1951 Valeria married Dennis J. Schlecht at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point. A woman of many talents and abilities, Valeria worked in the Cuming County Treasurer’s office as well as the West Point Dairy early in her career. She then began working at Knobbe Feedyards west of West Point where she started out as a secretary. Her exceptional skills in the kitchen came into play as she transitioned to cooking for the workers full-time.  A testament to her work ethic that kept her young, she served in that role until she was 88 years old.

Valeria was a member of the Catholic Daughters, Christian Mothers, VFW Auxiliary, Franciscan Healthcare Auxiliary, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Guild. She was an ambassador for raising funds for the St. Joseph Retirement Community building and volunteered for decades at the St. Joseph’s garage sale. With an interest in politics and affinity for working on behalf of others in her community, Valeria became the first woman elected to the West Point City Council in 1981. Valeria used her creativity by helping her daughter decorate floats for the Rose Bowl parade and by making many afghans for her grandchildren. Always one to be involved, she enthusiastically attended and contributed to many community events. A true beauty inside and out, Valeria was crowned Kleines Deutschland Queen in 1990.

She was an avid sports fan, attending hundreds of baseball and softball games and GACC Bluejay sporting events.  The New York Yankees and Nebraska Cornhuskers also received much of her rooting interest.  Valeria looked forward to having happy hour with the neighbors on Sunday evenings. She liked to be active and was an avid walker into her 90’s. Her countless acts of volunteerism included being a 20+ gallon blood donor to the Red Cross.  Unsurprisingly, with her vigor for life and dedication to serving others, she also received the Community Service Award from the West Point Chamber of Commerce.  Most of all, she was the most loving grandma and as the years went by her great-grandchildren were the light in her eye.

Survivors include her children

Son- Bruce (Donna) of West Point and their families

• Rod (Dara) Schlecht – Reese, Trey, and Jena
• Jennifer (Roger) Rief – Bradee (Travis) Schiefelbein and their children Liam and Blakelee; Bryant, Brendan, and Brenna
• Jamie (John) Wiechman – Jozlynn, Jerzey, Jemma
• Amber (Todd) Hugo – Sawyer, George, Daxton, and Dylan

Daughter, Barb (Roger) Wortman of Eagle River, AK and their families

•  Rebecca (Rick) Breitkreutz – Ricky
• R.J. (Erin) – Augie, Ruby, and Wolfie
• Ross (Anna) – Raegan
• Robert (friend Kim)

Son, Brad of Syracuse and his daughter

• Tara (Brad) Hanes – Beckett

Brother, Harry (Doris) Knobbe of West Point, and many nieces and nephews.

Valeria is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dennis on August 6, 1971; and siblings, Clement (Mildred) Knobbe and Elsie (Bud) Mahlberg.