EARL HUBERT SCHLIE, age 85, of Eagle Lake died on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, surrounded by his children.

Born on April 2, 1938, in Janesville, he was the son of Carl and Bertha (Zarn) Schlie. Earl attended Janesville High School, graduating with the class of 1957, he continued his education at Mankato VoTech receiving a degree in Auto Body Repair. On September 6, 1961, Earl was drafted into the United State Army where he was stationed at Ft. Bragg until his honorable discharge on September 5, 1963. He continued to serve in the Army Reserved until 1967. Earl was united in marriage to Betty Schnoor on June 27, 1961, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. Together, they had three daughters and were later divorced. On May 17, 1997, Earl was united in marriage to Brenda Olson, together they had one son and were later divorced. He began his working career in auto body at Schultes in Mankato for a short time before beginning a 40-year career with Heintz Pontiac, ending his time there as manager of their auto body department before retiring for the first time in 2005. Earl aways needed to stay busy so he went back to work at G & L Auto Supply for the Lingbeck family, delivering autobody parts and continued to work there until his cancer diagnosis in December of 2022. Later in life, Earl was reacquainted with a lifelong friend, Marlys Schulz and he cherished the past three years they spent together. He enjoyed playing cards, camping, fishing and he enjoyed going on cruises’ in his Ford Mustang Convertible, among several other means of transportation. Earl retired from the Eagle Lake Fire Dept after 20 years of service. He was a member of the Eagle Lake Snowmobiling Club as well as the Eagle Lake American Legion Post 617 where he was a former Commander, gambling manager and bartender for over 40 years. His family fondly remembers him as a kind and loving father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was a man who worked hard and played harder.

Earl is survived by his children: Vonda Schlie (Michael Ramer) of Nicollet, Beth Kleist (Bruce Grunzke) of Mankato, Kandi (Darrel) Hemmingway of St. Peter, and Tony (Elena) Schlie Olson of Eagle Lake; grandchildren: Mitchell (Heather) Kleist, Benjamin (Brianna) Kleist, Montana Weisgerber, Morgan Weisgerber Hunter Nowak, Emma Nowak, Jordan Schlie Olson, Paityn Schlie Olson, and Jersee Hemmingway; great granddaughter, Layla Lawton and great grandson to be, Baby Boy Kleist; special friend, Marlys Schulz; siblings: Beatrice Johnson of Madison Lake, Beata (Wynn) Kreft of Marshall, and Ben Schlie of Janesville; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Earl is preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Gordan, Herman, Mike and twin brother Ervin; and one sister, Minna Fetchenhier; sisters-in-law: Darlene Schlie and Thelma Schlie; nephew, Larrie Fetchenhier and niece, Dawn Schlie.

Visitation will be from 3:00 – 5:00 PM on Monday, May 29, 2023, at the Janesville Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service. Visitation will continue for two hours prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato. Burial will take place later in the afternoon at the Janesville Cemetery.