DAKOTA - Johanna "Josie" Schlueter, 87, of Dakota died Wednesday October 19, 2011 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital in Monroe. On June 16, 1924 she was born in Oberried, Switzerland. Josie and her parents John and Elizabeth (Thomann) Ruef immigrated to the United States in 1926. In 1945 she became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. She graduated from Dakota High School in 1942 and the Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in 1945. She and Vernon John Schlueter were married Easter Sunday, April 6, 1947 by the Rev. Robert E. Schwarze at St. Paul Evangelical Church of Epleyanna, near Davis, he preceded her in death in 1991. Johanna and Vernon farmed together over 40 years. A member of St. Paul Church of Epleyanna, she was active in many church activities in the past years, including the Willing Workers and the Church choir. Other memberships include the Nurses Alumni Association and the Monroe Swiss Singers. She was one of Dakota High School's most loyal supporter.

Surviving are four children Perry (Katherine "Tiz") Schlueter of Dakota and family Kerry (Tina) Schlueter (Brady, Kendahlyn, Garrett), Brent (Bobbi Jo) Schlueter (Blake, Olivia, Abigail); Dianne (Gary) Meinert of Rock City and family Lisa (Pat) Flynn (Evan, Molly, Rogan, Beckett), Eric (Stacy) Meinert (Elena), Kayla (Nick Stratmann) Meinert; Kathy (Randal) Fehr of Dakota and family Christopher (Luz Arellano) Fehr (Valeria and Adrian Arellano, Eric Fehr), Kimberly (Dave) Morrisett (Matthew, Madison), Ethan (Alissa) Fehr; Lonny (Vicki) Schlueter of Dakota and family Justin (Danielle) Schlueter, Anthony Schlueter; two sisters Marie (Merl) Niedermeier of Rock City and Barbara Schrader of Dakota; two sisters-in-law Gladys Elmer of Freeport and Fern (Don) Niedermeier of Rock City; nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, brother-in-law Melvin Schlueter and his wife Berneice, brothers-in-law Ralph "Skip" Elmer and Rollo Schrader.

Visitation will be Monday October 24, 2011 from 5pm until 8pm at St. Paul Church of Epleyanna, rural Davis. Funeral service will be 11 am Tuesday at the church with Rev. Scott Naevestad officiating. Burial will take place at the St. Paul Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established in her name. Josie's family invites friends to extend condolences, share a memory, or light a candle in her honor at www.daughenbaughfuneralservices.com.