Gladys Schlachtenhaufen

Gladys Luella Schlachtenhaufen (nee Aalbue), died on April 14, 2013, at the age of 99, living as a resident in Country Terrace, an assisted living center in Rhinelander, WI. Gladys Aalbue was born in St. Paul, MN on June 5, 1913 to Solfest and Clara Aalbue, two Norwegians. She was the youngest of three children and had two older brothers, Harold and Joseph. Gladys attended elementary and secondary school in St. Paul and graduated Central High School. She attended St. Paul Luther Academy/College which merged into Wartburg College, BA - 1934. She was dating Bruno Schlachtenhaufen, but Wartburg Seminary which Bruno attended would not allow any married students; so Gladys worked in the Ramsey County Court House and continued living at home until June 8, 1938 when there was a long awaited mixed married wedding between a German and a Norwegian at Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul. Bruno and Gladys had four sons while living in Rockwell City, Iowa for about 10 years; Edward (Carol), Harold, David (Mary), Philip (Cindy). Gladys is survived by her 9 grandchildren: Mark (Kathy), Mary (Sadham), Marsha (Jason), Joel, Stephanie (Jeff), Scott (Kasey), Heidi (Ryan), Sara (Chad), and Janele; and 12 great grandchildren, Kamala, Shanti, Connor, Carsen, Ben, Jay, Trent, Ellie, Nick, Nora, Noah, Abby. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her two brothers and her dear husband, Bruno, died on March 31, 2009. Since Bruno was a Pastor who at that time was expected to move on an average of every seven years, the family became somewhat nomadic. During 36 years in Iowa, the family lived also in Ottumwa, Waterloo, Decorah, and Des Moines. The last active clergy call was to Loyal, WI; after which Gladys retired with her husband to their home on Deer Lake, Tomahawk, WI; and then they moved to a retirement village in Sun Prairie, WI. For the last four years, Gladys has lived in Rhinelander, WI. Gladys not only raised four boys full time at home, but she also worked outside the home as a volunteer, part time secretary/ leader/teacher, and in Waterloo and Des Moines as a full time church worker. She always considered her work, life, and parenting as a ministry and as works of faith. She was a type of a "feminist" before the term was ever used, but would never understand nor apply it about herself. Rather, she was strongly committed to showing what faith in Christ and love of neighbor mean. Gladys served as Cub Scout leader and newspaper delivery driver in the winters in Ottumwa; then in Waterloo she was the Junior Choir Director for all four sons and a part-time secretary. In Decorah she was as active Bethel Bible teacher. In Des Moines she assisted the Iowa District, ALC staff for a number of years; and then also joined a state wide Via de Christo program (a Lutheran adaptation of the Catholic "Curisllo" movement) where she was member a leader/lecturer for several years. In all congregations where she was member she was active in teaching, participating in groups and circles, baking bread for special occasions, organizing church potlucks, and always helping others. In retirement, Gladys and her husband gardened together, took trips together, helped neighbors together, painted together, read often including in book clubs, and as always enjoyed hosting gatherings for family and friends whenever and wherever they could. We are very thankful for her steadfast faith, for her persistent love for others, for her care and concern for her sons and their wives, for their children (her nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren), for her many nieces and nephews and their families; and for her Norwegian piety which always sought to "preserve and pass on the faith". The Funeral Service for Gladys will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 11:00AM at Grace Lutheran Church, in Tomahawk. Visitation will take place from 10:00AM until the time of service at 11:00AM. Burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials in lieu of flowers to: "Bruno and Gladys Scholarship Fund at Wartburg College" or "Bethel Media Ministry" at Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison.