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John Garland Schlaht, 83, of Waukee, formerly of Creston, passed away Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, with his wife and daughter by his side. A Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at McLaren’s Chapel, 801 19th St. in West Des Moines. A Celebration of Life will follow from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Salem Lutheran Church, 602 W. Townline St. in Creston.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Red Cross or WesleyLife Hospice, who provided wonderful care and support so John could remain in his home during the last two months of his life.
John was born Oct. 16, 1942, to John Arthur Schlaht and Gladys Tegland in Chadron, Nebraska. John spent his childhood in Pierre, South Dakota, and graduated from Theodore Riggs High School in 1960 where he excelled in varsity football and shot put.
He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in education from Northern State College in Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1964, and then he moved to Mission, South Dakota, where he taught American history at Todd County High School on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Following his time in South Dakota, he moved to Creston where he taught American history, Iowa history and classes on careers and travel at Burton R. Jones Junior High School. He coached junior high football and basketball in the early years and then assumed the role of vice principal, chaperoning many student activities. John loved teaching and was an excellent role model for his students.
John met his wife, Sharon Lynne, who had come to Creston the same year and taught at the junior high school as well. They were married June 21, 1970, in Des Moines. Following his retirement in 2001, he worked part time at Kilgore’s Used Cars and at the Kenyon Law Firm. He was a member of Creston Lions Club (president, 1985-86) where in 1996 he was honored as Teacher of the Year for 32 years of outstanding service in education. He also was a member of the Creston Elks Lodge and, in retirement, a board member of the Creston YMCA.
John and his wife lived in Creston for 49 years where they raised their two children before moving to Waukee in 2019. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Creston and recently joined St. James Lutheran Church in Johnston.
John loved the Kansas City Chiefs, Iowa football (actually, anything football), the Indiana Fever, a good martini, his 1982 Indiana Pace Car which he had for many years, keeping in touch with old friends and getting together with new friends in Waukee – not necessarily in that order. Above all, John loved his family and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren grow up. He also loved studying American history, his daily 3 p.m. Scrabble games with his wife and listening to her read books aloud every day so they could have their very own book club discussions, playing tennis with his family during his prime, traveling with family and friends, attending Chiefs games and the Drake Relays and decorating veterans’ graves with his wife for Memorial Day at Creston cemeteries.
John is survived by his wife, Sharon Lynne; son Kyle John of Grinnell; daughter Tara Lynne (Matthew) Klein of Urbandale and grandchildren: Addison Klein and William Klein of Urbandale and Steven Thompson of Grinnell.