Kirk J Schleicher

Kirk J Schleicher, of Baileys Harbor, passed away unexpectedly on November 27, 2025 at the age of 35. He left behind a legacy of love, faith, and dedication to his family and community.

Kirk was born August 7, 1990 in Green Bay to Bill and Jean (Giesseman) Schleicher. Kirk attended Zion Lutheran School through eighth grade and was a proud graduate of Sevastopol High School. He married Kayla Anschutz on January 20, 2018 and together they had two beautiful children, Jordy and Rory.

At the time of his death, Kirk was in his final year of his Plumbing Apprenticeship at NWTC and was excited to continue to move toward becoming a Master Plumber for Anschutz Plumbing & Heating. He took pride in doing the highest quality work and loved talking about what he was doing, even to those, like Kayla, who had no clue what he was talking about most of the time.

A devoted husband and father, Kirk was the embodiment of unconditional love and support. Kirk worked tirelessly to take care of his family, only complaining occasionally about “Mount Dishmore” or after stepping on a particularly sharp toy. He celebrated even the smallest of accomplishments as his children grew. He was a hands-on father who could be found swimming in Kangaroo Lake with the family after a hot workday or crawling on the floor giving countless horsey rides. He instilled his love of sports, particularly baseball, into both kids, and taught them the value of hard work. Every household chore was a family affair, no matter how much longer the task would take.

Kirk and Kayla also had a shared passion for music. In the early years, they would be found enjoying karaoke nights at the Pen Pub after finishing their shifts at PC Junction. Kirk was found up front with the microphone in his hand belting “Wagon Wheel” or “Friends in Low Places” while Kayla watched from the end of the bar. As he transitioned to fatherhood, his stage moved from the Pub to the kitchen where the family could be seen singing and dancing to favorites like “Take Me Home, Country Roads”.

Kirk had many other passions during his life. His favorite times of year included hunting season, baseball season, football season, and summer lake days. He shared these passions with his extended family, his in-laws, and many friends, creating many memories throughout his life on the baseball field playing with and against his cousins, hunting and fishing, and hanging out anywhere and everywhere. At any family gathering you could hear his infectious laugh as he retold a story for the hundredth time or quoted his favorite movies. He never even minded when he got crushed by the competition at family game night.

He built additional families in every community he was a part of; his classmates at Zion and Sevastopol, teammates from the many baseball teams over the years, the members of the Peninsula Gun Club, any place he ever worked, and just about every watering hole in between. Kirk was the kind of person that greeted everyone he encountered with a warm smile or a wave. One introduction was all it took for him to create a memory or story that he would recount over and over to all that would listen. 

Kirk had a profound impact in his small corner of the world. Deeply rooted in his faith, he lived his life as a testament to his spiritual beliefs. His compassion, kindness, and moral strength were an inspiration to all who knew him. 

Kirk is survived by his loving wife, Kayla and their two beautiful children, Jordan (Jordy, age 5) and Aurora (Rory, age 3); his parents, Bill and Jean Schleicher; his sisters, Kendell (Jack) Straehler, and Kelsey (Trent) Krauel; his nephew, George; nieces, Lily, Hadley, Lainey, Kassie, and Kallie; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and relatives.

Kirk will also be cherished in memory by his in-laws, with whom he was extremely close, his father and mother-in-law, Tom and Laura Anschutz; brother-in-law, Ian (Maggie) Anschutz; sister-in-law, Brynn (Kollin) Orthober; nephews, Kolton, Finley, and Carver; and niece, Celyse; as well as the entire extended family and so many in the Door County community.

Kayla and the rest of the family wish to express sincere gratitude to those that attended to Kirk during his final hours including the emergency responders and staff at Door County Medical Center.

They also extend their heartfelt thanks to the Gibraltar School family and the entire Door County community who have shown up in every way imaginable for them.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 7, 2025 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay. Visitation will continue on Monday, December 8, 2025 at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in West Jacksonport beginning at 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Scott Miller officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Kirk may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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