James "Jim" Frederick Schlaefli, 78, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on March 20, 2023, at his home in Downs, Kansas.
He was born on June 3, 1944, at The Community Hospital in Beloit, Kansas, to George Winters Schlaefli and Lois Evelyn Shane Schlaefli. He had two brothers, Larry and Jackson.
Jim graduated from Cawker City High School in 1962, and from Fort Hays State University in 1967. He married his high school friend and sweetheart, Roberta Anne Trueblood on December 9, 1961. They celebrated 61 years, 3 months, and 11 days together. To this union, three children were born, Bryan, Shannon, and Robin.
Jim loved playing football, basketball, and baseball in high school. He loved racing motorcycles while in college, and won many trophies for his skill. He coached American Legion baseball after returning home from college to farm with his dad. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play baseball, football, basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, track, and golf.
Jim was a farmer. He had a hard work ethic. Crops he raised were wheat, milo, soybeans, alfalfa, sunflowers, and corn. He also had a cow/calf operation. He was awarded the Bankers Soil Conservation Award in Osborne County in 2003. He loved hunting pheasants, coyotes, and deer; fishing, boating, water skiing, snow skiing, and camping. He also loved his bird dogs – Ace, Tiff, Tye, and Duke – as they were great companions.
He especially enjoyed riding his 1994 Harley Davidson FXSTS; and in his later years, his Can Am Spyder RT LTD. Riding the by-roads of the United States and seeing the beautiful scenery was a biker’s dream.
Jim and Roberta took many trips together including bike and trike rides to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, National Parks, mountains and back roads from the east coast to the west coast, and from Canada to Mexico; cruises to Alaska (2), Panama Canal (2), Caribbean Islands (4); trips to Mexico (6).
Left to celebrate his life are his wife, Roberta Schlaefli of the home; son, Shannon Schlaefli (Jeri), Cawker City; daughter, Robin Schlaefli-Winkel (Brett), Downs; grandchildren, Sage Schlaefli, Cawker City, Trystan Schlaefli, Downs, Terin Winkel, Downs; brother, Larry Schlaefli (Pauline), Hays; brother-in-law, Harry Trueblood (Margaret), Russell; niece, Pam Schlaefli Pearson (Steve); nephews, Dustin Schlaefli (Kristi), Hays, and Steven Trueblood, Bunker Hill; great-nieces, Mattison Schlaefli and Elisabeth Pearson; and great-nephews, Keaton Schlaefli, Matthew Pearson, and Isaak Trueblood.
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Bryan Schlaefli; brother, Jackson Schlaefli; parents, George and Lois Schlaefli; and parents-in-law, Herbert and Jean Trueblood.
Graveside services will be held on April 8, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Prairie Grove Cemetery, Cawker City. Following services, everyone is invited to join family for a luncheon at the Downs United Methodist Church. Cremation has taken place & there will be no visitation.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the Downs United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, or the James Schlaefli Memorial Fund.