Michael Schlautman

Michael Schlautman, 66, of Dodge, died Thursday, April 20, 2023 at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to St. Henry’s Cemetery Fund or to Howells Community Catholic School. In lieu of thank you notes, Michael’s family will make donations to the above listed organizations.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Howells. Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at church with a parish Rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at St. Henry’s Cemetery with lunch following at the Howells Catholic Social Hall. Svoboda Funeral Home is handling arrangements for Michael’s family.

Michael J. Schlautman passed away peacefully Thursday April 20, 2023 at West Point,
Nebraska surrounded by family.  Mike was born October 8, 1956 in West Point to Richard and
Helen (Hegemann) Schlautman.

Mike grew up in the rural Howells area and graduated from Howells High School in May of
1974. He entered the Air Force on June 12, 1974, with his Basic Training at Lackland Air Force
Base in San Antonio, TX. After Basic Training he was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in
Biloxi, Mississippi for tech school where he studied avionics and radio repair. He was next
stationed at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. He proudly served in our nation's military
with overseas duty in Germany, England and Saudi Arabia. He was discharged from the Air
Force in August of 1977 at the rank of Senior Airman and then entered and graduated from
Sandhills Community College in North Carolina. He then began studies at the University of
North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

On Sept. 6, 1979, while a student at UNC – Chapel Hill, he was involved in an accident that left
him with a traumatic brain injury.  After a lengthy recovery in Omaha that left him in a wheelchair
he was able to live on his own and moved to North Carolina. While in North Carolina he served
his local Catholic parish as an EME (Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist) and Lector.  He
eventually moved back to Nebraska to be closer to family and friends.  He lived in Lincoln,
Grand Island, Central City, and most recently Dodge. He was a member of the Dodge
American Legion Post 122 and was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Howells.
He served as an example of overcoming adversities as he leaned on his Catholic faith through
trying times. His sense of humor was evident (as was his love of old westerns on TV!). He
especially enjoyed personal visits from family and friends.

Mike is survived by sisters, Donna Limbeck of Omaha, Diane Gregoire of New Orleans, and
Rita Widhelm of Howells; brothers, Martin (Laurie) Schlautman of Clarkson, Steve (Karen)
Schlautman of Columbus, Neal (Nancy) Schlautman of Saronville, and Joel (Mary) Schlautman
of Lincoln; nieces, Carrie Copenharve, Julie Bellehumeur, Lori Dinsmore, Christine Kinzel,
Renee Quist, Janel Odenbach, Amie Dirkschneider, Mindi Wolf, Kim Krauklis, and Mackenzie
Bartek; nephews, Paul Greise, Eric Limbeck, Allen Gregoire, John Gregoire, Jerry Widhelm,
Austin Widhelm, Danny Widhelm, Sam Schlautman, Craig Schlautman, Jason Schlautman,
Taylor Schlautman, Brandon Schlautman and Nathan Schlautman, as well as many great-
nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Helen Schlautman, nephew Scott
Limbeck, brother-in-law Richard Limbeck and brother-in-law Dwain Gregoire.