Fred Schluter of Spooner passed away on September 10, 2023 in Spring Hill Florida.

Fred was born on June 18th, 1925 in Sac County Iowa.

He graduated from the Early Iowa High School. After graduating Fred entered the US Army and spent the next several years in Washington D.C. working in the Pentagon building. After his army service Fred attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. On February 7th 1948, Fred and Beverly Hopkins of Laurens Iowa were married.

Fred last employment was with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He retired in 1987. Fred and Bev moved to Lipsett Lake in Burnett County, Wisconsin and in 1996 moved to the City of Spooner.

Fred had what he considered a really great retirement. He could do what he really wanted to do and that was to advocate for the elderly in Wisconsin.

He has served as President of the A and H senior center, the Burnett County association of senior citizens and the Burnett County Aging Program. He served as a treasurer of Trinity Lutheran Church and for 18 years as Alderman for the city of Spooner. He also served on board of the directors of the Spooner Health system for 12 years.

On the state level, Fred served on the advisory council for the Bureau on Aging and Long-Term Care Resources in Madison. His most rewarding endeavor was as President of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups. Among the many programs that he helped to implement was Badger Care and Senior Care, a health care and prescription drug benefit program for the elderly.

Fred spend several years a co-chairman of the National Consumer Council which was part of the National Council on Aging. In 2005 Governor Jim Doyle asked Fred to represent him at the White House Conference on Aging in Washington D.C.

In his spare time Fred was the coordinator for the Senior Statesmanship program in Wisconsin. This was a program that educated older people about state government and prepared them to be the leaders.

Fred’s dream was to help establish programs that would help the elderly garner financially stability and have responsible health care for generations to come.

Fred is preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Beverly, his parents Henry and Sarah Schluter, one sister and 4 brothers. He is survived by one daughter Jill of Manistee Michigan and one son John (Karin); three grandchildren, three great grandchildren all of the Stockholm Sweden area and other family and friends.

A graveside service with military honors at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery will be help at a later date.

Last Update: Sep 13, 2023 2:51 pm CDT