Dean Schluter

Dean Schluter, age 92, of Glenwood, died Monday, February 26, 2018 at Glenwood Retirement Village. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, March 1st at Glenwood Lutheran Church, with Rev. Randy Chrissis officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in Grove Lake Cemetery in Grove Lake, Minnesota. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Donald Dean Schluter, the youngest of three children born to Paul William and Elsa Jane (Hawn) Schluter, was born on May 25, 1925 in Glenwood, Minnesota.  He grew up in Sedan, where he attended Public School through the 8th grade, then Glenwood High School, graduating with the Class of 1943. After high school, Dean enlisted in the Naval Aviation V-5 Program and served during World War II. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Dean attended the University of Minnesota.

On November 26, 1949, Dean was united in marriage Elayne Lilienthal at Glenwood Lutheran Church. After college, Dean had taken over operation of his father’s farm and it was there, in Grove Lake Township, that the two made their home and raised their three children. Dean and Elayne continued to live on their farm for 54 years until 2003, when they moved into Glenwood Plaza.

In addition to farming, in 1957, Dean became employed by Central States Construction Company, in Willmar. Over the next 33 years he progressed up through the ranks of the company from Batch Plant Foreman to Minnesota Area Manager and Corporate Vice President of Aggregate Operations and Ready Mix Concrete Operations. During his career, he was active in various trade organizations including the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, Minnesota Concrete Paving Association, and Aggregate Ready Mix Association of Minnesota, as well as the Willmar Chamber of Commerce. Following his retirement in 1990, he served on the Governor’s Transportation Safety Advisory Council for two years.

Dean was a longtime and faithful member of Glenwood Lutheran Church, where he was a past President and Vice President of the church council. He also served many years on the Board of Directors for the Glenwood Retirement Village, 14 of them as President. He was a member of the Terrace Mill Foundation board, where he served as project coordinator for the restoration of the historic stone arch bridge. Dean also served as Chairman of the Board of Central Square Cultural and Civic Center, developing the former Glenwood High School for community use. He was involved with the Willmar Chamber of Commerce, and a longtime member of the Glenwood Rotary and Lions club.  

Dean’s hobbies included furniture refinishing, landscaping, and occasionally playing the trombone. For several years he and Elayne spent the winter months in Wickenburg, AZ, but they were always happy to return to their home in MN. He will be remembered as hard-working and community-minded, as well as for his tireless volunteer work and most importantly, as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Dean had been a resident at Glenwood Retirement Village for the past year. He died there early on Monday, February 26, 2018, at the age of 92. His family would like to thank the staff for the wonderful care they loving provided to Dean. May his memory be blessed.

Dean is survived by his daughter, S. Ann Schluter (special friend, Wayne Quibell) of Fargo, ND; sons, Joseph “Joe” (Lori) Schluter of Cortez, CO, and Robert "Bob" (Michele) Schluter of Parkman, WY; granddaughter, Cassie (Jeremy) Burnham of Cortez, CO and their two children; grandson, Jess Yeigh and his three children of Sheridan WY; brother-in-law, Paul Lilienthal of Kutztown, PA; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Elayne in 2012; his parents, Paul and Elsa Schluter; two brothers, Gordon Schluter and his wife, Irene, and John “Jack”, and his wife, Harriett; as well as a cousin, Eleanor Hawn Cleary.

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