Sally Slaughter

Sally Ann Spieker was born in Neligh Nebraska on October 23, 1955 to LeRoy and Elaine (Hilger) Spieker. She was their first born and eventually welcomed 4 sisters and 6 brothers to the family. Sally's early life of being surrounded by a loving family, moving to new places in pursuit of opportunity and a deep commitment to the values of personal responsibility, education and community formed the foundation and trajectory of Sally's life. Born on the family farm outside of Petersburg, NE, she was surrounded by a large community of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. When her parents retired from farming, the family moved to opportunities in Bloomfield, NE and then Randolph, NE. Sally's introduction to education, the profession that she would dedicate her career to, began in Petersburg. It then continued through St. Frances Catholic school in Randolph from 2nd grade until the school closed at the end of her 8th grade year. Graduating from Randolph High School in 1974, Sally was active in the National Honor Society, Thespian group, the track team and Drill team while forming lifelong friendships during those years. Sally received her bachelors degree in Home Economics Education in 1978 from Kearney State College. She began her teaching career at Winside High School in Winside, NE. Her joy of teaching was exemplified by her knack for remembering people and many years later she could still tell you the names of many students in those classes. Sally then made a life changing decision to spread her wings and accepted a position to be a civilian teacher at the naval base on Adak, Alaska, one of the outermost Aleutian Islands. The time in Adak nurtured her love of teaching, Alaska, and travel where Sally met, and was mentored by Anne Frazier who became Sallys best friend. Sally would spend her summers away from teaching, by traveling and connecting with family and friends. She earned her Masters degree in Vocational Ed from the University of Alaska Southeast while on Adak. This was prior to internet learning. Classwork was completed by mail, phone, and a few trips from Adak to Juneau thrown in. Sally's career in Alaska also included time in Nome and Palmer before heading to her next destination of Tehachapi, California. Sally continued as a high school teacher and met her husband, Jeff Slaughter. Married on June 19, 1989, Sally found her lifelong partner in traveling, adventure and learning. During Sally and Jeff's time in Tehachapi they embarked on a couple of epic travel adventures. In 1992 they took a bicycle trip from Southern California to Nebraska, following up the next year with an eleven month around the world odyssey of bicycling across Alaska, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Fiji, and Hawaii. Career and lifestyle opportunities took them back to Alaska. Initially teaching for two years at Palmer (AK) High School, a leadership position led them to Alaska's Capital city, Juneau where Sally worked with the Alaska State Department of Education. Anchorage would become their final home in Alaska as Sally continued her career at the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Earning her Doctorate of Education from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California while working full time as a professor to grad students at UAA and was an honor she was immensely proud of. Sally's strong faith and spirit inspired people around her even as she dealt with Parkinson's disease in the last stage of her life. In 2015 she moved to Minnesota to be nearer her Midwest family and for their caring connection. She lived life to the fullest and served as a great role model to her siblings, nieces and nephews. She touched many lives from her time as an educator and had many dear friends that were part of her life at her many destinations. Sally is survived by her husband, Jeff Slaughter of White Bear Lake, MN; siblings, Dan Spieker & wife, Susan of Lincoln, NE, Janet Spieker of Clearwater, FL, John Spieker & wife, Kim of St. Paul, MN, Paul Spieker & wife, Susan of Pleasant Dale, NE, Doris Schueth & husband, Lyle of Lincoln, NE, Mary Spieker of Fremont, Lynn Weiland of Garland, NE, Tom Spieker & wife, Michelle of Dana Point, CA, Steve Spieker & wife, Brenda of Lincoln, NE and Pat Spieker & wife, Angela of White Bear Lake, MN; 19 nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and her dear friend, Anne Kathleen Frazier, Golden, CO. Funeral service will be 11 AM, Friday Jan. 29, 2021 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic church. The Service will also be live streamed from St. Mary's on the parish's YouTube channel https://youtu.be/3dcb_hCLVmE, and will also be available to view as a video from the church's website https://stmarys-wbl.org/ for some time after the funeral. Father Talbot will officiate. Sally's cremated remains were interred at St. Patrick's Catholic Church Columbarium, 2111 Muldoon Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99504 (St. Patrick’s Parish is located on the east side of Anchorage in the Muldoon community) . Memorials for Sally to go towards support of Parkinson's disease research. Please donate at https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/northwest/