Dale Schluter

Dale Schluter, age 53, of Decorah, IA, died suddenly on Thursday, October 11, 2012, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 15, 2012, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs presiding. Burial will be in the St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, Decorah, IA. Friends may call from 2:00-7:00 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, and also from 9:00-10:00 a.m., on Monday morning at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA. Dale Duane Schluter was born on December 27, 1958, the son of Vernon and Margaret (Chantrill) Schluter in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Dale attended Rockford Elementary and graduated from Nora Springs High School in 1977. Dale worked for Seed and Grain Systems from New Virginia, Iowa, as a job foreman, building seed corn drying systems for several years, across the Midwest. He was united in marriage to Karen Bohr on August 31, 1985, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, and together they had two sons, Travis and Mitch. Dale worked for Cerro Gordo County as a back hoe operator in the Rockwell and Mason City Sheds. On September 1, 1999, Dale and Karen purchased the French and Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, renaming it Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in 2001. After the move to Decorah, Dale worked for Winneshiek County Secondary Road Department for two years. He then owned his own construction business. He built the two new funeral homes in Fort Atkinson and Calmar and the family home, along with several other large and small projects. He was so proud of his two sons and their activities and accomplishments. He enjoyed camping, fishing, finding and restoring antiques, entertaining, family gatherings, friends and neighbors. He was a meticulous gardener, and enjoyed his potato patch, growing the tallest tomato plants in the area, along with giving away his produce to all. Dale was proud of his restoration work on the old red ‘51 Chevy pickup, his John Deere Tractors and his woodworking projects. He loved to use his smoker, try new recipes and always adjusted them to his taste. Dale enjoyed helping at the Winneshiek County Fair. Dale was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Dale is survived by his wife: Karen Schluter, Decorah, IA. Two sons: Travis Schluter, West Bend, IA, and Mitch Schluter, Decorah, IA. His mother: Margaret Schluter, Mason City, IA. Three brothers: Larry & Sharon Schluter, Osage, IA; Myron & Vicki Schluter, Louisburg, KS; and Randy & Susan Schluter, Mason City, IA. Three sisters: Mary Keck, Huntsville, AL; Linda Schluter & friend Bob Strom, Mason City, IA; and Faye Schluter & friend, Mike Tull, Algona, IA. His father and mother-in-law: Norbert and Diane Bohr, Decorah, IA. Sisters and brothers-in-law: Lori Bohr, Minnetonka, MN; Dan Bohr, Decorah, IA; Jennifer Charron & fiance’ Gorden Sabo, Rapid City, SD; Becky & Russell Jones, Huxley, IA; Darin Bohr & fiancé Keri Felke, Decorah, IA, along with many special nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Three uncles and aunts: Albert & Ruby Schluter, Cresco, IA; Kenny & Dorothy Schluter, Quincy, IL; Jim & Roma Chantrill, Chapin, IA; and Jo Chantrill, The Colony, TX, along with many cousins and friends. Dale was preceded in death by his father: Vernon Schluter on March 26, 2008. Two uncles: Clyde Chantrill and Richard (Lu) Chantrill.