- Date Of Birth: April 4, 1991
- Date Of Death: October 1, 2010
- State: Nebraska
Obit Derek J.
Deshler, NE
402-365-4441
Derek Joseph Schleif of Deshler, NE, son of Les and Dawn Schleif, was born in Seward, NE on April 4, 1991. He died Friday, October 1, 2010 at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, KS at the age of 19 years of Bacterial Meningitis.
Derek was baptized June 9, 1991 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Utica, NE and confirmed on May 22, 2005 at Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler, NE by Pastor Phillip Nielsen. He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler. Derek attended school and graduated from Deshler Public School with the class of 2009. Derek spent the year following his high school graduation working various construction jobs. In August he started school at North Central Kansas Technical School in Beloit, KS. The last weeks of his life were spent preparing him to be able to realize his dream of operating heavy equipment. He shared his pride in what he was learning with his family. Those were happy weeks for Derek.
Derek enjoyed Trap Shooting for 4 years as a member of the Husker Cats Trap Shooting Team, pond fishing with his grandma, Paulette, deer hunting, shop class and welding, using his hands and working outside. He started a project involving competitive stereo building. Derek tinkered with many things, he could find treasures in everything he did. He was involved with the design of the first electric car with the Deshler Shop Class.
Derek was a big guy in many ways. His 6 ft. 5 inch frame was powered by a heart just as big as he was. He was a giver in every way. He helped whenever he was asked and willingly shared whatever he had. His last act on earth reflected his giving spirit. He gave completely of himself when he became an organ donor.
Most of all Derek loved his family and held them close to his heart.
Derek is preceded in death by his grandpa Don Hynek.
Those left to cherish his memory are his parents Les and Dawn Schleif of Deshler, NE, one brother Cole and wife Tara and nephew Braydan of Deshler, NE, one sister Karissa Schleif of Deshler, NE. Grandparents Dorral and Loretta Schleif of Hebron, NE, Paulette Hynek of Deshler, NE, aunts Gail Dieken and husband John of Hastings, NE, and Holly Loos and husband Terry of Lincoln, NE, and a host of friends.
