Robert Sletten

Robert Maynard Sletten, affectionately known as “Tub”, 91, died December 3, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Society in Bismarck, ND, with his wife, Ramona, by his side. Robert was born August 23, 1925, on a farm near Churchs Ferry, ND. It was on this farm where he grew up, learning the value of hard work. According to his military records, he “helped raise small grain and corn. Tended livestock, milked cows, drove team and tractor. Did some rough carpentry. Made repairs on truck and tractor.” It was also this same farm he owned and operated for many years until his retirement in 2000. Even after retirement, he longed to be involved in its management and operations. Robert graduated from Churchs Ferry High School in 1943. He served in the North Dakota State Militia for a period of 10 months in 1944-45. On March 27, 1946, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and attended Counter Intelligence School at Holabird Signal Depot, Maryland. He was honorably discharged September 17, 1946. Robert married his wife of 70 years, Ramona Jeanne Hillerman, on January 12, 1946. Together they had four children, son Terry (Dawn) Sletten, Billings, MT; daughter Elizabeth (Betty) (Jerel) Blair, Bartlett, TN; son Bradley (Ellen) Sletten, Moorhead, MN: and daughter Roberta (Scott) Modin, Bismarck, ND. He is survived by his children, grandchildren Robyn (Tom) Barta and Tiffany McNeff, Billings, MT; Nicole (Matt) Conoly, Fayetteville, GA; Holly (Matt) Wallace, Austin, TX; Sarah (David) Parnell and Ashley Sletten, San Diego, CA; Douglas Sletten, Horace, ND; Wendell Sletten, Princeton, MN; Robert Modin and Emma Modin, Bismarck, ND, and great-grandchildren McKenna Volbrecht; Owen, Patrick, Quinton and Erin Conoly; Taryn McNeff; Payton and Dylan Wallace; and Alana Parnell. He is also survived by a brother, Milford Sletten of Galesburg, MI, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Hilda Welo Sletten; his father, Henry Sletten; brothers Willis Sletten, Harold Sletten, Victor Sletten, Bernard Sletten; sisters Enid Verke Hanson, Ruth Myhre, and Fern Daniels. He is also survived by his friends and staff at the Good Samaritan Society, who will remember his deep voice, quiet and gentle nature, and his “smirk”. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 10th at 1:30 in the chapel of the Good Samaritan, 316 Versailles Ave., Bismarck. Memorials can be made to the Good Samaritan Society, 301 Lorrain Drive, Bismarck, ND 58503.