Leslie Wayne Schuchardt, 90, of Spearfish, SD, husband, father, grandfather, and collector of antique autos – died on Sunday, March 1, 2015.

Les was born on the family farm near Leola, South Dakota, February 28, 1925 to Wayne and Vina Schuchardt. He found the love of his life in high school when he met Delores Buechler. On July 3, 1944 they eloped to Pierre, South Dakota. They moved to Spearfish where Les worked as an air traffic controller and mechanic at the Spearfish Airport. By 1946, Les was working for the Black Hills Power and Light Company. He retired in 1985.

Les possessed an entrepreneurial spirit. He owned and operated the Minneluzahan Chinchilla Ranch which produced two women's wraps. Les also was the founder and president of the Deadbroke Mining Company where he bought land for the back taxes and then sold it for cabin sites. Les built and operated the Maitland Slopes ski and toboggan run utilizing some of this land.

The restoration of antique autos was a passionate hobby for Les. He was a founding member and the first president of the Black Hills Model T Club. He restored twenty-seven autos over a fifty year period selling most at an auction held in Spearfish in September 2012.

Les is survived by his loving wife, Delores; sons, James (Jane) Gilbert (Joan); daughters, Joy (Rick) Puthoff and Rebecca (John) Hine; grandchildren, Michael, Gregory, Nathaniel, Joshua, Stephanie, Lisa and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 7, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spearfish. A reception will follow. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com