Gary Eldon Schlange, one of two children of Elmer and Rosetta (Stutheit) Schlange, was born September 14, 1941, in Auburn, Nebraska. Gary was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn. He attended Rosemont School District #40 through the 8th grade and then attended Auburn High School, graduating with the class of 1959. Gary went on to attend Peru State College, receiving his bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in Industrial Arts and mathematics.

On February 15, 1963, Gary was united in marriage to Mary Jarvis at the Peru Methodist Church. The couple would be blessed with two children: Kevin and Kimberly. They made their home in rural Nemaha County where Gary farmed and raised cattle and hogs.

A lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gary stayed active serving as Sunday School Superintendent, on the church council and church cemetery board, and also sang in the church choir. He served on the Southeast Quad County Pork Producers Board as well as the Nebraska State Pork Producers Board, Farmland COOP Board of Directors, Nemaha County Farm Bureau Board, and Nemaha County 4-H Board where he acted as Hog Superintendent at the fair. Gary enjoyed running a bulldozer and taking care of conservation work on the farm. He owned several antique tractors and engines, a model T, and an old motorized railroad car that he enjoyed tinkering with.

Gary was admitted to CHI Heart Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, it was there that he passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, having reached the age of 83 years, 9 months, and 10 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Rosetta Schlange, and partner of sister Marilyn, Fleet Pride.

Those left to mourn his loss include his wife Mary of Auburn; son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Teresa of Auburn; daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and Terry Hahn of Johnson; grandchildren Abriel Schlange of Lenexa, KS, Alyson (Brendan) Steele of Falls City, Allan Schlange (fiancé Jenna Burger) of Auburn, Kacie (Ted) Gyhra of Pawnee City, Ty (Marriah) Hahn of Hooper, Jadyn Hahn of Johnson; great-grandchildren Huxton Steele + baby Steele on the way, Elizabeth and Jackson Burger, Owen and Theo Gyhra; sister Marilyn Larson of Tallahassee, FL; nephew Thad (Suhail) Larson of Tallahassee, FL; other relatives and friends.

A memorial service was held Saturday, June 28, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Jackie Gfeller. Edith Schlange played accompaniment for congregational hymns that were led by Ron Heskett. Allan Schlange and Ty Hahn served as urn bearers. Serving as flower attendants were Abriel Schlange, Alyson Steele, Kacie Gyhra, and Jadyn Hahn. Honorary bearers were Thad Larson, Kenny Schlange, Gerald Bohling, Kurt Schlange, Tom Howe, and John Howe. Burial of ashes will take place at a later date in St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery at Auburn.