Richard Filkins, 85

Funeral services for Richard Filkins, 85, of Tracy were held Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy.

Richard Allen Filkins was born May 15, 1925 to Earl and Grace (Rowell) Filkins on a farm one mile east of Tracy, MN in Redwood County.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Tracy Public Schools.  As a young man he farmed with his family, before he enlisted in the U.S. Army in November of 1944.  After his basic training in the infantry, Richard was assigned to the 25th Cavalry Recon Troop, as a Military Policeman and later served as an automotive mechanic.  He served in the Pacific Theater in the Philippines and also in the occupational forces in Japan.  In November of 1946, Richard received his honorable discharge, having attained the rank of sergeant, and returned to the family farm near Tracy.

On January 29, 1953 Richard married Edna Knoblauch at her parent’s farm east of Tracy.  They made their home on a farm near Amiret, MN on the Cottonwood River and remained there until his retirement from farming in 1994.  That year they moved into a home they built on his family’s original farm site where he was born.

Richard was a farmer his whole life and enjoyed the outdoors.  In the past he also did some custom corn shelling and carpentry work.  He was a member of the Tracy VFW and Tracy American Legion.  In his retirement he enjoyed his woodworking shop, tinkering with pump engines and spending time with his friends, playing cards and pool at the Tracy Senior Center.

On Friday, July 9, 2010 Richard died peacefully at his home, with his loving wife by his side, at the age of 85.

Richard is survived by his wife, Edna Filkins of Tracy, MN; one son, Dayle (Cindy) Filkins of Truman, MN; three daughters, Mary Ellen (Jo) Pyle of Tracy, MN, Luann (Jerry) Dirschel of Rochester, MN and Karen Filkins of Tracy, MN; three grandchildren, Dan (Kristina) Pyle, Tom Pyle and April (Jon) Krull; two great grandchildren, Madison and Michael; special cousin, John Hagerty; and many friends.

His father and mother preceded him in death.

Interment was held Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in St. Paul, MN.  The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy handled the arrangements.

Kenneth Sletten, 87

Kenneth H. Sletten age 87 of Tracy, MN died Friday, July 9, 2010 at the Golden Living Center in Slayton, MN.  Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 15, 2010 at Tracy Lutheran Church.  Visitation will be at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 14.  Interment will be in the Tracy City Cemetery.  The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements.

Ken was born August 24th, 1922 in St. Croix, WI, the son of Knut & Josephine (Benson) Sletten.  He grew up in the Toronto, SD area.  After Knut’s death, the Sletten & Lenander families were united into a large loving family.

Ken enlisted into the U.S. Navy during WWII.  He was a Seaman 1st class who saw action in both the Atlantic & Pacific theatres abroad.  Ken returned home Christmas of 1945.

After WWII, Ken farmed and then was a vehicle front-end alignment specialist in Brookings, SD until he attended TV and Radio repair school in Kansas City, MO.

Ken married his loving wife, Eileen (Cullinan) Sletten, on July 17, 1947.  The Sletten family came to Tracy in 1957 from Webster, SD.  After working in television sales and repair for many years, Ken started his own business and became the owner/operator of Ken’s TV & Radio Sales and Service for the next 11 years.

Through the years, Ken has been active in a variety of community activities.  He helped start-up and serve as a volunteer ambulance driver and assistant for 10 years.  For 13 years he was a volunteer  member of Tracy’s Police Auxiliary and was a Tracy Police officer for 2 ½ years.  He served as a volunteer for the Civil Defense, American Legion and VFW branches.  He spent 15 years with the Tracy’s Public Works department until he retired from the City of Tracy in 1989. 

Ken enjoyed carpentry and woodworking, building cabinets and decorative items.  He did volunteer work at the Tracy Senior Center in the 1990’s.  He enjoyed camping with his family and loved to help tune-up their cars and build items for their homes in his shop.

 Ken is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eileen in Tracy, MN.  son, Steven (Lori) Sletten of Marshall, MN. son, Kevin (Mary) Sletten of Shirley, MA.  daughter, Susan (Paul) Muehlbauer of Sleepy Eye, MN. son, Stacy Sletten of Mound, MN.  Ken’s grandchildren:  Melissa (Jason) Hagen, Mark, David, Paige, Mariah, Cameron and Jayda Sletten. Also by two great grandchildren:  Andrew and Morgan Hagen.  brother, Leslie (Dorothy) Sletten of Custer, SD. brother, Curtis (Betty) Lenander of Yuma, AZ.  brother, Andy (Olga) Lenander of Watertown, SD.  sister, Stella Graham of Custer, SD. nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Ken was preceded in death by son Kenneth James Sletten, grandson Connor Sletten, his parents Knut and Josie Sletten, stepfather John Lenander, sisters Agnes Tolrud, Violet Nelson, Bernice Johnson, brothers Harry Lenander and Vernon Lenander.

The Ken Sletten family wishes to thank all those who touched our lives during this time.