Sandra Schlueter

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Sandra Mary Schlueter, 61, of Traverse City, formerly of Provo, Utah, passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, at Munson Hospice House.

Sandy was born in Traverse City on July 8, 1947. She was raised in Lake Leelanau, the daughter of Harvey Henry Schlueter and Gertrude Cecelia Stallman.

Sandy was a lady of many accomplishments, education and faith. She earned bachelor's degrees in secondary education and history from Aquinas College.

Following Aquinas, she earned her officer's commission in the Air Force after graduating from Officer's Training School in Medina, Texas. Her Air Force specialty was intelligence.

Sandy served her nation for 22 years, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and honorably retiring. During her active duty service, she earned a master's degree in public administration from Ball State University.

Lt.Col. Schlueter was commissioned in August 1969. After graduating from the Armed Forces Air Intelligence Center at Lowry AFB, Colorado, she was assigned to the 36th Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (TEWS), Taklih AB, Thailand, as the Chief, Escape and Evasion Branch.

Assigned to Korat AB, Thailand next, Lt.Col. Schlueter served as the Intelligence Officer for the 32nd Tactical Fighter Wing (TEW). In 1971, she departed Southeast Asia for Europe, serving in a variety of assignments with the 39th TEWS, Spangdahlem AB, Germany.

Lt.Col. Schlueter served as the Intelligence Officer. She then became the Assistant Officer in Charge of the Operation Intelligence Branch, 36th TFW, Bitburg, Germany. Still with the 36th TFW, she became the Officer in Charge of the Intelligence Materials Section and in 1976, the Chief of the Tactical Targets Branch and as Squadron Commander.

She then served for three years as an Instructor at the Armed Forces Air Intelligence Center, Lowry, AFB, Colorado. From 1979 to 1983, Lt.Col. Schlueter served in numerous assignments in the Pacific Theater. She served as the Chief of the Target Systems Division, 314th Air Division, Seoul, South Korea. She was assigned to the Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff, Hickman AFB, HI, as Chief of Target Operations and Target Plans.

In 1983, Lt.Col. Schlueter was assigned to HQ Tactical Air Command, Langley AFB, Virginia, as Chief of Weapons Applications Branch. In 1985, she was assigned to NATO as Chief, Targets Section, Plans Division, Allied Forces Central Europe.

Lt.Col. Schlueter was awarded numerous awards and decorations over her 22 years of service. Among those, she was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Following retirement from the Air Force, Sandy earned a master's degree (M.S.L.S.) in library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sandy worked in computer support for SirsiDynix in Provo, Utah.

Sandy was very active in the Provo community. She was a member of the Embroiders Guild of America, the American Needlepoint Guild, the Swan Samplers Guild, president of the Salt Lake City Guild and she was working on Salt Lake City's Cathedral of the Madeline Project. Sandy traveled to many states attending and leading classes in embroidery and needlework.

Sandy was a Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, a 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics Volunteer and a Eucharistic minister and lector at her parish. She was an avid gardener who volunteered her green thumb to the city of Provo.

Sandy is survived by her siblings, David (Christine) Schlueter of Traverse City, Linda (Maurice) Flynn of Bertram, Texas, and Stephen (Vicki) Schlueter of Suttons Bay; many loving nieces, nephews and good friends; her special buddy, Haiku; and many special, close friends across the country who will dearly miss her sense of humor.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family extends their deepest appreciation to the staff of Munson Hospice House for their compassion and care of our dear Sandy.

A gathering will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, at 9 a.m., with the rosary to be prayed at 10 a.m., and the memorial Mass to be held at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Parish of Lake Leelanau. Burial will be in the spring at Arlington National Cemetery. The Rev. Michael Janowski will officiate.

Memorials may be directed to Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498; Christian Children's Fund, 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294; and/or to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741-5000.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.