Donald Ernest Schlichting, 86, of Mankato, Minnesota, died Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at Pathstone Living, Mankato, Minnesota

Donald was born Feb. 4, 1929, to Henry and Emma (Reinke) Schlichting in Waltham, Minnesota. He graduated 1947 from Austin High School and then continued his education at Austin Junior College. In November of 1948, he attended Molar Barber School in Minneapolis and went on to work for a summer in Walker, Minnesota, and then in Austin with his brother Hank. In 1949, Donald enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Germany, where he served as a ham radio operator, Airman 1st Class, during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge. Donald was united in marriage to Julia A. Plantage on Nov. 4, 1956, in Brownsdale, Minnesota. They moved to Mankato in 1963 and opened the Little Big Dollar Store. In 1967, they opened Don’s Hobby Store which they operated until 2007. Don was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where he was a past elder and usher, member of the Sage’s Group and the Lutheran Layman League. Don was an amateur radio operator, pilot, enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, and propagating lilies.

Don is survived by his wife of 59 years, Julia; daughter, Carol (Korrie) Pasbrig of St. Peter; son, Alan Schlichting of Santa Ana, California; grandson, Kyle Pasbrig (Cat Burns) of Rochester and great-granddaughter, Kiora; grandson, Cole (Ashley) Pasbrig of Mankato and great-granddaughter, Kali Lynn, expected in March; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Edwin and Virginia Plantage of Albert Lea, Hazel Schlichting of Brownsdale, Doris Schlichting of Chico, California; nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by parents; seven siblings: Harlon, John, Henry “Hank,” Arnold, Wilmar, Sylvia, and Beatrice.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, at Mankato Mortuary. Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Mankato Mortuary. Memorials may be given to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Building Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association. More information can be found at www.mankatomortuary.com.