H. Aliene Schluchter

Tucson, AZ, H. Aliene (Nielsen) Schluchter, 91, Tucson AZ and formerly of St. Cloud, MN passed away Saturday, April 1, 2023 in Tucson.

Aliene was born in St. Joseph, MO on July 28, 1931 to Nels P. Nielsen and Hilda (Jones) Nielsen. She grew up taking care of and playing with her two younger brothers, Neil and Carl. She was involved in the activities and leadership of Girl Scouts for many years. Aliene enjoyed attending summer camps and performed in school plays. Church was the cornerstone of her family and the main source of friendships and social outlets. As a Benton High School Senior, Aliene was crowned the 1949 Homecoming Queen. Later that Fall, she continued her education at Westmar College in LeMars, IA where she met the love of her life, Del Schluchter. She graduated with an Elementary Education degree in 1954. She & Del married in St. Joseph, MO on May 29, 1954. After bouncing around the Midwest with jobs, they settled in Fargo, ND where children Wayne (1959) and Joy (1962) were born. The family moved to St. Cloud, MN in the early 70s and built a family home that the family loved for 20 years. Aliene took her teaching career of impressing young minds very seriously. She met many friends and developed lasting friendships from the schools she taught in. Most of her teaching years were spent first at Washington Elementary in Fargo, ND and then at Clearview Elementary in Clear Lake, MN (just outside of St. Cloud.) She has, for years, had student after student reach out to tell her how much they appreciated her loving, compassionate way of teaching in their 1st Grade classroom.

Retirement took Aliene & Del to Tucson, AZ where they quickly started attending a church near their home. Aliene also joined a Women’s Philanthropic Education Organization, PEO. She, again, made many fast and lasting friendships during her many years of activity and leadership within her local Chapter, BQ. Aliene and Del met so many friends. They loved traveling by car, plane, cruise ship, and in their motorhome while enjoying their children, grandchildren, and creating life-long relationships along the way. In her own, written words Aliene spent her 91 years living, growing, loving, learning, and sharing with loved ones in her cherished life. She passed away peacefully from a broken heart, surrounded by family.

Aliene is survived by her children, son Wayne (Juli) Schluchter, St. Cloud, MN and daughter Joy (Kevin) Barry, Tucson, AZ, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Del Schluchter, parents, Nels & Hilda Nielsen, and both brothers Neil and Carl Nielsen.

Service will be held at Desert Skies United Methodist Church, 3255 N. Houghton, Tucson AZ 85749 at 10 am MST on Monday, April 24th. A lunch will follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. The service may also be seen on the church’s live stream: www.desertskiesumc.online.church.\

Correspondence is being received for the family by daughter, Joy Barry, 1782 N. Sandstone Ridge Dr., Tucson, AZ 85715