ARNOLD SLETTEN

ARNOLD SLETTEN Arnold Sylvin Sletten, 85 of Aneta, ND died Monday September 7th at his daughter’s home. Arnold Sylvin Sletten was born May 23rd, 1930 in Cooperstown, North Dakota, to Otto and Clara (Knutson) Sletten. He grew up on the same farm where he raised his own family in rural Aneta. He attended a country school graduating the 8th grade. He enjoyed trapping, hunting, and fishing as his time permitted. He even had a trap line on his way to school. He said he was only sent home from school a few times because of the skunks he had caught. He and his horse (Maude) made many memories while he was growing up. He met Freda Engen (the love of his life) at a basketball game and married her on June 24, 1951. They began farming with Otto and Clara at that time. In 1954, their first son, Steven Arnold, was born. Arnold was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1955 and moved his young family to Killeen, TX, where he served in the Motor Pool. In late 1956, they returned to the home farm and continued to farm. In 1957, son Scott Gary was born but survived only a short time. In 1961, son Jon Owen was born. In 1964, his only daughter Kristi Faye was born. In 1965, son Paul Engen was born. Throughout the years, Arnold was busy supporting the family. He enjoyed helping people with anything. He was the line keeper on the local telephone line back when there were party lines. He also would clean out sewer tanks for many farms and homes. He was a 4-H leader and drove the school bus for many years. He held many offices for the Ottawa Lutheran Church and Cemetery. The church was very important to him. Many memories were talked about like the family picnics, ball games, and more. In the late 70’s, he and his son Steven, purchased a backhoe and started digging. As he began aging, he thought he would just do some small digging jobs. So, he started digging graves. He had no idea he would enjoy that as much as he did. It was common for him to dig 150 graves a year, in all kinds of weather and even on holidays. It made him feel like he was helping the families out. Paul took over for him as time went on. He will be greatly missed by his children, Steven (Marie) Sletten, Jon (Jackie) Sletten, Kristi Bina, and Paul Sletten, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, his Brother-in-law Jerald Engen, and his sister-in-law Julie (Peter) Oberholtzer. He was preceded in death by his wife Freda (Engen) Sletten, his son Scott Gary Sletten, his parents Otto & Clara (Knutson) Sletten, his sister Orpha (Sletten) Stokkeland and her husband Arnold Stokkeland, and Sister-in-Law Jean Engen. Memorial services will be Friday, September 11, 2015 at 2:00 pm in the Ottawa Lutheran Church, rural Aneta, ND.