Erna L. Schlesener

Erna L. (Kandt) Schlesener, 105, of rural Hope, KS, passed away on June 11, 2026. Erna was born to Herman and Sophie (Lawrenz) Kandt on July 24, 1920, near Shady Brook, KS. She was baptized on August 8, 1920, at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Shady Brook, KS, by Pastor L. C. Hermerding. She was confirmed May 6, 1934, by Rev. W. G. Biel at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

On January 27, 1937, Erna was united in marriage to Kenneth Schlesener at St. Paul’s Lutheran Parsonage, Shady Brook, KS, by Pastor Fred Pohlman. The Lord blessed this union with two children, Regina Kay and Ronald Dean.

Upon marriage to Kenneth, they resided in rural Hope running a dairy farm milking Holstein cows. Erna continued milking and farming after the death of her husband in 1976, and retired from milking in the ‘80s. Erna drove tractors, raised pigs and chickens, had horses, barn cats, and dogs (but only one at a time). Dogs weren’t allowed in the house, but a special dog, Prince, was allowed in during storms. Erna was extremely frugal and was often seen boiling potato peelings and making oatmeal to feed her barn cats.

During the ‘80s and ‘90s, Erna began going with friends to Polka Dances in Salina. On Wednesday nights, chores were done early and she could be seen wearing her polka outfits. She loved teaching her grandkids to Polka in her living room. In 2015, Erna was the Grand Marshal for the Hope Heritage Festival parade when she was 95. She was a descendent of the first settlers who came to the Hope area in the late 1850’s, more than 25 years prior to the founding of the city.

Erna had many hobbies. She would make many quilts and crocheted baby afghans every year. Many of her quilts and afghans were given to churches, the VA Hospital, Wichita Children’s Home, The Treehouse, and the Linus Foundation to help comfort others. She continued to crochet up until her final days. She loved flowers and gardening. She would always have a beautiful stand of Hollyhocks. Often, Erna could be seen riding around in her golf cart out in the pasture chopping thistles and cutting cedar trees. She enjoyed mowing and a special treat for her was to mow the yard when she was 104.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, her parents, her sisters Flossie (Kandt) Walstrom Haire and Gladys (Kandt) Davis Blazier, and her brother, Glenn Juniour  Kandt.

Erna is survived by her daughter, Regina (Gallard) Albright, Wichita, and son, Ronald Schlesener, Harveyville; granddaughters, Rochelle (Roger) Appel, Wichita, Tamela (Darryl) Becker, Sabetha, Tara (Martin) Durkin, Burlingame, Tawny de Keijzer, DeSoto, Lucinda (Thad) McDermott, North Platte, NE, and grandson, Brent (Angie) Albright, Wichita; 10 great-grandchildren, Nicole, Brianna, Rhianna, Brayden, Connor, Parker, Malia, Morena, Jaylyn, and Sonya; and 2 great-great-grandchildren, Ella and Quinn; and other extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Visitation and services will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Shady Brook, KS, on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 10:00 am; funeral service at 11:00 am followed by luncheon; and burial at 2:00 pm at the Hope Cemetery, Hope, KS.

Memorial contributions, in Erna’s name, may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Shady Brook, KS; or to the American Diabetes Association, Camp Discovery Wichita KS, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA, 22116-7023.