Bruno Schlachtenhaufen

The Rev. Bruno William Helmut Schlachtenhaufen, 96, died Tuesday evening March 31, 2009 at his home in Sun Prairie. Bruno was called by our Lord to come to the more perfect home which He has prepared for those who love Him. Bruno was born February 8, 1913 in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. His growing-up years were spent in a country parish where his father was pastor, near Gaylord, Minnesota. After attending a one-room school through eight grades, he went to St. Paul Luther for his academy years and two years of college. In 1935, he graduated from Wartburg College in Clinton, Iowa, and from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1938. He married Gladys Aalbue on June 8, 1938. Together they have four sons - Edward, Harold, David, and Philip. He served congregations in The American Lutheran Church: June 1938- Nov. 1947 St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rockwell City, Iowa Nov. 1947- May 1952 St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ottomwa, Iowa May 1952-Jan. 1962 First Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Iowa Jan. 1962-Nov. 1966 Decorah Lutheran Church, Decorah, Iowa Nov. 1966-Oct. 1976 Bishop in Iowa District of the American Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa Oct. 1976-Sept. 1979 Trinity Lutheran Church, Loyal, Wisconsin Sept. 1979-Oct. 1981 Church Director for The Seminary Appeal for the T.A.L.C. Seminaries where $40,000,000.00 was raised for the seminaries of the church. Bruno and Gladys moved to Tomahawk, Wisconsin in 1981 for his retirement. They lived there until 1997 when a move was made to a retirement village in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. He deeply loved his wife, Gladys, of over 70 years, his four sons and their spouses, nine grandchildren and their spouses, and twelve great grandchildren. Bruno is survived by his wife, Gladys, sons Edward (Carol) Harold (Kari), David (Mary) and Philip (Cindy). Grandchildren Mark (Kathy), Mary (Sadham), Marsha (Jason), Joel (Kim), Stephanie (Jeff), Scott (Kasey), Heidi, Sara (Chad), Janele, and great grandchildren Kamala, Shanti, Connor, Carsen, Ben, Jay, Trent, Ellie, Nick, Nora, Noah, Abby. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by brothers Waldermar, Ervin, Traugott, and his sisters, Helen and Frieda. The funeral service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Tomahawk, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2009. Visitation is prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial gifts to China Service Ventures or another ministry of choice. Preaching and teaching the Word of God was a special joy to Bruno. His many gifts and talents were used in his service to the American Lutheran Church during his long career as a pastor, bishop, and church director. During his academic years he was a football, basketball, and baseball player- excelling in all three sports. He even played on a town team against the Harlem Globetrotters when they were just getting started. In many of his parishes he participated in church league softball. He hit a single, double, triple and home run all in one game. In retirement years, he loved to work around the Tomahawk lake property where chores and projects never ended. Splitting wood, fishing, gardening and enjoying nature with his best friend, Gladys kept them busy. His entire family will remain deeply grateful for the Christian faith, hope, and love that he shared and exemplified for all people throughout his entire life.