Marleen Ann Schlueter

Marleen Ann Schlueter (nee Wilcox), of Cottleville, MO passed away Sunday April 28, 2024, at the age of 90. Beloved Wife of the late Clarence “Chuck” Schlueter. Cherished daughter of the late Norman and Viola (nee Miller) Wilcox. She was survived by her daughters Dawn (Robert, “Bob”) Church, and Dana Schlueter. She was the Loving Grandmother of Jason (Laura Rhea) Church, Erin Lanasa, Justin (Trina) Church, Brittany (Brendan) Swyers and Nicole Klos. She was the Treasured Great-Grandmother of Taylor Siebe. Marleen was preceded in death by her husband of almost 70 years, Clarence Schlueter, her parents Norman & Viola Wilcox, Brother Norman “Bud” Wilcox and Infant Brother Michael Wilcox and Daughter D’Ann Schlueter. 

Marleen was born and raised in Cottleville in 1934. Her birth home is now known as the Wine Seller in Cottleville, she has seen the town go through every change, and up until her death, she was the oldest living original resident of the town of Cottleville.

Marleen met the love of her life, Clarence when he was on leave from the Air Force in 1950, fighting for his country in the Korean War. They only had a couple dates and corresponded by mail as often as they could. He asked her to marry him in a letter and she said yes! They married June 8, 1952. They left St Charles after he came home and finished out his commitment to his country, while stationed in Maine. They moved back home to St Charles where they built a home on her grandfather’s land in 1953. They started their family in 1955 with the birth of Dawn. This prompted them to need a larger home to grow their family, so Clarence built another home on the same property in 1956. They had their second daughter, D’Ann in 1961 and then Dana in 1965.  

Marleen spent her life caring for her family and other extended family members. Her calling in life was to care and provide for others. Marleen worked as many did back in the day at the Shoe Factory in St. Charles and once she started her family, she was a mother, Homemaker and Caregiver. Once her children were older, she found a new purpose in life by working as a Nurse’s Aide for the Hospital and the Nursing Home. In her later years she worked part time in day care taking care of the babies, that was always something she loved. She always put others before her and cared for her family with love and passion.

Marleen was a Lifetime Member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and an Auxiliary Member of AmVets Post 106, where she made many lifelong friends and enjoyed celebrating with them and considered many of them as family. She was also a former member of the Cottleville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Everyone that met Marleen and Clarence, felt so close and loved them so much, they always referred to them affectionately as “Mom and Dad” many barely remembered them by their real names, because to them, that is what they were, Mom and Dad.

The love and memories we shared give us strength. Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research, AMVETS Post 106, St. Peters, VFW Post 5077, O’Fallon, and Backstoppers.