Delores E. Schlake, 96, of Adams, formerly of Firth, died Monday morning, February 17, 2025, at Goldcrest Retirement Center in Adams.  She was born on May 13, 1928, at Pickrell to Herman and Tena (Jurgens) Buss. Delores was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell and attended Hartzell School through the 8th grade. She worked at Store Kraft, Milke’s Cleaners, the Swift plant, and Firth Nursing Home.  On August 17, 1947, she married Vernon Schlake at Zion Lutheran Church. They lived north of Pickrell until moving to the Firth area where they farmed until 1990. Delores was the owner and operator of Schlake Trailer Sales of Cortland until she was 90 years old. She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell and a former member of the Extension Club. She enjoyed gardening, growing flowers, quilting, and helping her husband work on the farm.

Survivors include her son, Dennis (Sue) Schlake of Lincoln; daughters, Vergene Kracke of Wilber, Marcia (Brad) Astleford of Pleasant Hill, MO, Janice (Bill) Jacobsen of Adams, and Susan (Donnie) Jeffrey of Omaha; 11 grandchildren, Jerod (Gina) Schlake , Dustin Schlake, Stacy (Bryan) Ford, Eric (Annette) Kracke, Lana (Daryl) Musil, Shaun Kracke, Andrew (Lauren) Astleford,  Lindsay (William) Hill, Brandon Jacobsen,  Nicole (Brandon) Brown, and Caleb Jeffrey; eight great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; brothers, Kenneth Buss and Richard (Carol) Buss; sisters, Arlene Schlake, Darlene Penner, Marilyn (Melvin) DeBuhr and Karen (Don) Schmidt; sister-in-law, LaVona Buss; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, who died on November 15, 1995; son-in-law, Robert Kracke; parents, Herman and Tena Buss; brother, Dallen Buss; sisters, Dorothy (Fredrick) Thompson and Eleanor (Wilfred) Ideus; brother-in-law, Miley Schlake.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church of rural Pickrell with Pastor Mike Williams officiating.  A book for signatures will be available from noon until 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the funeral home.  The family will greet relatives and friends from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Christ Lutheran Church of Pickrell and Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams. www.foxfuneralhome.net.  Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.