Lenell M. Slaten
Big Rapids – Lenell M. Slaten, 87, of Big Rapids passed away Tuesday May 19, 2009, after a brief illness at Spectrum Health Butterworth in Grand Rapids.
She was born May 30, 1921, in Erie, Kansas, the daughter of Hugh J. and Nora O. (Guy) Slaten.
Lenell served in the US Army Reserves, and was in active duty during World War II and was stationed in France and Germany. She achieved the rank of Colonel.
After the War in 1964, Lenell became professor of business education at Ferris State University until retirement in 1990. She served as the founding secretary of the FSU Faculty Union and was a member of the DAR, VFW, and American Legion.
Lenell is survived by niece, Kathryn J. Feinberg of Colorado Springs, Colorado; nephew, Donald J. (Connie) Slaten of Hastings, Minnesota; great-nephews, Jason and Jonathan Fienberg of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Jefferson J. (Jennifer) Slaten of South St. Paul, Minnesota; great-great nephew Julian Slaten of South St. Paul, Minnesota; and brother, Hugh J. (Kay) Slaten of Stillwater, Minnesota. Lenell was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Big Rapids, with Pastor Dean Prentiss officiating. Burial will take place in East Hill Cemetery in Erie, Kansas.
15 Responses to “Lenell M. Slaten”
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Lenell was a dear neighbor and a wonderful friend to my mother Betty. The two of them spent many hours proof reading together, as they were both very involved in their individual family-tree projects. Lenell will always be remembered by my our family as a kind and giving lady. She will be missed. Ann Kreiser
Lenell was a close friend of the Keller and Cole families. We have always thought of her as an excellent professor and a cultured influence on everyone she met. Her long life, as a military officer, a doctor of business and a professor at several universities has made many of us respect her. People of her abilities will seldom pass this way again.
Lenell was a such a fine person. I will miss her. She always sent such interesting emails and I will miss them too!
Aunt Lenell was a dear friend of my parents, Elmer and Alice, and eventually became a dear friend of ours. Our son, Joel, was her birthday buddy and loved Aunt Lenell very much. We are sorry to see her go, but are glad that she didn’t suffer much. We will miss her dearly, but we are glad to know that we will see her in Heaven with our Father.
Lenell will be missed dearly by Alice and me. She was a great friend to both of us. We are sorry that she went so soon. We were able to have a great birthday celebration for her on the 16th with her birthday buddy, Joel, our grandson.
Elmer
I was pleased to know Lenell through PT Plus as her personal trainer for a short time. Lenell’s adventures in life were a joy to share as we would train. She was a woman who had high expectations from a long life of unbelievable opportunities and rich experiences, she over came adversities throughout life and made no real excuses. We enjoyed many conversations about politics, exercise, education, family, the love of Christ. It is with that knowledge of her relationship with Jesus I am pleased to know that she is with her Savior in Paradise, although she will be missed by many. Lenell will always have a special place in my heart and her stories will live on as I continue to share our friendship with other clients I encounter throughout my own life. Thanks Lenell for your friendship and for blessing all those who knew you in your very special way, you will be missed.
Lenell was an absolute wonder to work with on our family genealogy. On a visit to my Oregon home we met with others for a social gathering. Never to miss a chance to expand her inquisitive mind she shared and acquired family details with absolute precision. Laughter and stories abound. She is deeply missed.
Lenell was my neighbor,my friend, also i worked for her for 2 years, She was a giving woman cared about people and always wanted to help someone in need.
I am going miss our talks we had ,Her stories about her younger days, I know she is in heaven we talked about that alot and I knew what her belief was and what was in her heart and I know I will be with her again listening to her stories . Till we meet again Lenell I will miss you Cindy Kozminski
To the family of Lenell;
My mother, Cloeta (Foster) Yates, also born in Erie Kansas were long time friends. Upon my mother’s death, i became part of Lenell’s e-mail family. I remember years ago when Lenelle would come through Cedar Rapids Iowa and visit with us. I am saddened with her loss and though I do not know any of her family personally, I know if my mother were alive she would certainly feel the pain and loss in the passing of her friend.
Sincerely the family of
Cloeta Lavon (Foster) Yates
Lenell was a wonderful woman with a heart of gold. She came into my life when I was working as a personal trainer at PT Plus. In the course of our relationship, she had knee, hip, and shoulder replacements; yet her spirits remained positive and excited about life. It’s been nearly 5 years since the last time I saw Lenell, but all the while she remained faithful in including me in her Emails about every topic imaginable. She was a historian, a patriot, a Rupublican, and most importantly a Christian. I trust that I will see her again in Heaven - praise and glory be to our savior Jesus Christ. Rest in His love, Lenell.
I never did meet Lenell in person, but worked with her to supply her computer products over the past 25 years. I really got to know her even though I never saw her in person. She was such a sweet lady. She will be missed.
Lenell was a very warm and careing person. An old and dear friend and relitave of the Cloke family. She told me many stories of my family and cherished her youth growing up in Kansas. She was a great help and inspiration to me with my genealogy and gave me information no one elce could. She will leave a hole that no other can fill. I take comfort knowing she will be at rest in a place she loved and with her family. I will remember her always.
Sincerely the Cloke family,
Myron Cloke,
It is with great sadness that my family and I learned the passing of Lenell. She was a wonderful lady with a beautiful heart and always helping anybody in need. She visited me in Morocco twice and became a very close friend to the Benamar Family. She will be missed greatly! My deepest sympathy to her family! Nadia Benamar
I just learned of Lenell’s passing. My mother, Wilma Whitlow Matson, was a cousin of Lenell’s and we enjoyed visiting with her over the years. Our branch of the family is very sorry to hear of your loss.
Annette Tucker
I just learned of Lenell’s passing. My mother, Wilma Whitlow Matson, was a cousin of Lenell’s and we enjoyed visiting with her over the years. Lenell and Mother worked on the family geneology and had many stories to tell.
Karen Hardesty