Carl Schlueter

Carl O. Schlueter, 91, passed away December 2, 2015, at the Traverse Victorian Senior Living. Carl was born August 3, 1924, to August David Schlueter and Mildred Hanson Schlueter in Pleasanton Twp., Manistee County, MI.

Carl married Bernice C. Zeits on February 15, 1945, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Leland, MI, celebrating 66 years of marriage before Bernice’s passing on July 13, 2011.

Carl is survived by children, Carl (Jan) Schlueter, Linda (Milt) Puffer, Brenda (Jim) Harrelson, David Schlueter, Duane (Rachel) Schlueter and daughter-in-law, Susan Gee. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Sheila (Ty), Sherry (Scott), Lisa (Mike), Todd (Michelle), Nicole (Troy), Erin, Sarah (Adam), Patrick (Kellie), Jared and Matthew (Angela), 18 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren.

He is also survived by sisters, Helen Borgula of Livonia, MI, Marie Fornoff of Pennsylvania and brother Paul Schlueter of Milford, MI. He is also survived by sister-in-law Mary Jean Flees and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Carl was preceded in death by his parents, wife and siblings, Elinore and Harold.

After the death of Carl’s mother in 1929 Carl was cared for by Wilma Hanson Kreft and Walter Kreft until he relocated to Leland, MI, in 1934 with his father and step mother Lydia Wakulat. He graduated from Leland High School in 1943 and entered into the US Army.

Carl drove a gravel truck with his father, was employed by Van’s Garage in Leland, the Ford Garage in Traverse City and worked for the C & O Railroad from 1950-1966. He was employed by Thrivent Financial from 1968 until his retirement in 1988.

Carl was a life long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City, MI. Carl and Bernice were charter members and instrumental in helping to start the Faith Lutheran Church in Lecanto, Florida.

Carl enjoyed square dancing, bowling, hunting, fishing, traveling to Florida during many cold Michigan winters, boating - many Sundays spent at Schneider’s Park on Lake Leelanau with family and friends. He loved wood working and leaves behind many beautiful pieces of his talents with his children. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t build or fix. A love for repairing automobiles was passed on to his sons!

…“no good thing ever vanishes, it is carried forward from generation to generation”….

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will take place on December 12, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. with visitation for family and friends one hour prior to the service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1003 S. Maple Street, Traverse City, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686 Trinity Lutheran Church or Munson Hospice (Munson Healthcare Foundation), 1150 Medical Campus Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684. Please visit Carl's webpage at www.lifestorytc.com to sign the guest book and share a message with his family. The family chose Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.