Donald Wayne Schlientz

Don grew up and went to school in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from South High School in 1963 and Grand Rapids Junior College in 1965. Don was a star football player throughout his school and college years. While at GRJC, Don was recruited by Michigan Tech University to play football. It was through his time at Michigan Tech that Don and dort were introduced to the wild beauty of the UP.

When Don was 13 years old, a meeting on a youth group hayride would become life-changing for him. He met and began building a deep friendship with Dorothy Hoffman. By the time they were 16, they had moved from being best friends to becoming a couple, known to all as Don and dort, or ‘Big D and little d’. From that time forward, their life together was marked with projects big and small, aimed at spotlighting the humanity, dignity, acceptance, and worth of all people. Through their work together, they wanted people to feel noticed, seen, heard, and Loved. They continued to serve and Love others, even when Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis tried to end that commitment for Don.

Don and dort were married on December 20th, 1966. After graduating from Michigan Tech in 1967, Don worked for Honeywell’s Aerospace Division in Anoka, Minnesota. While there, another wonderful life-changing event happened–the birth of their twin boys, Matthew and Brian. The pull of the UP and a desire to work with kids brought them back to the shores of Lake Superior and Marquette, Michigan. Don earned his teaching certification and a master’s in counseling and guidance from Northern Michigan University. While in Marquette, they received another lovely gift in the birth of their daughter, Heidi.

Don worked as a math teacher, counselor, and assistant football coach in downstate Newaygo, Michigan. But again, the whole family missed the UP and Lake Superior, so they returned to Marquette, where Don worked for the Ishpeming Public Schools and as an adjunct computer instructor at NMU. After beginning full-time work at NMU, Don helped to develop the Computer Information Systems emphasis within the College of Business. After retiring from NMU in 2000, Don worked as a consultant to area organizations, businesses, and individuals, offering many of his services for free. In retirement, he also worked for the Diocese of Marquette for 20 years.

Don enjoyed cross-country skiing, waterskiing, walking along UP beaches and trails, biking around town and along the lakeshore, with dort on their recumbent trikes. He also delighted in introducing his grandkidlets and all visitors to his beloved UP. He and dort continued to enjoy their projects of Love together. The Fire Up Youth Conference was one of those projects, as was Prince of Peace Lutheran Church youth work, Emmaus, and the Keryx Prison Ministry.

Don will always be remembered as generous to a fault. He shared anything he had with others without a second thought. If he could help someone, he helped them. And if he couldn’t help them himself, he’d look for someone who could. His generosity extended to the spirit, as well. If he could make someone’s day a little easier, he would do that–a hug, a joke, a thank you, words of amazement at how great whatever that person had just done was, shared tears, celebration, compassion–he handed those gifts out hundreds of times a week.

He wanted to know about others’ lives. Even in the worst parts of his own medical crisis, he would ask the nurse what she loved about her job, his sister how she was managing her own losses, his brother-in-luv what he believed and why, the waitress how old her kids were and what they loved to do. He was deeply interested in the lives of others and communicated even to strangers that they mattered and that their work was important.

Don was earthy and honest, goofy, stubborn, and a problem solver. He had an amazing engineering and creative mind and an incredible sense of humor. His pranks were legendary and effective. He questioned things; he was brave that way. His faith was a light, opening and opening all his life.

Left to cherish his memory are his bride of nearly 60 years, dort; his kidlets, Matt and Tiffany Schlientz and Heidi and Chad Mager; grandkidlets, who call him Papa, Robbie Mager, Marijke and Jake Sikora, Brendan and Lizzie Mager, Lauren and Andrew Sheard, and Brian Schlientz and Nikki Olson; along with great grandkidlets who knew him as G-Pa, Lainey and Clay, and JJ and Max. Don also leaves behind a ton of much-loved newer and lifelong friends, and extended family (the wonderful Seattle Beyers, Traverse City Grooters, and Byron Center Bultemas). He also leaves behind caregivers, medical teams, restaurant workers, and service providers who became like cherished friends and family to him.

We, Don there and dort here, are grateful beyond words for the gift of you in our lives. We want you to know that you are appreciated and Loved.

A colleague once asked Don what important accomplishments he would want to be known for in a memoir, an obituary, or a eulogy. Don said, “I hope they would say that I was a good husband, dad, and friend.”

Don, you are and have been! All of that and more! Now, give Brian huge hugs from all of us until we join you two and our beloved Shepherd face-to-Face. D&d together forever with Him!

In place of flowers and other gifts, Don and dort ask that you give donations to a charity, organization, or individuals who serve the poor, the marginalized, the homeless, the hopeless, the hurting, the sick, and oppressed.

A Service of Celebration, honoring Don will take place on Sunday, June 14, at 2:00 pm, at LoveMarq Church in Marquette. This will be followed by a time of sharing stories, memories, laughter, and love with family and friends.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com