LeRoy "Lee" Sletten

LeRoy "Lee" Sletten, 78, of Springdale, Arkansas died April 23, 2016 at the Northwest Medical Center in Springdale. He was born August 19, 1937 at his parent's ranch in Perkins County, South Dakota, son of Hjalmer and Eleanor (Kinstad) Sletten. He attended rural one room grade schools, and graduated from Newell, South Dakota High School in 1955. He graduated from Parks Electronics Institute in Denver, Colorado in 1956 and attended the North Dakota Police Academy. He and his family moved from South Dakota to Arkansas in 1977. Lee worked in law enforcement most of his life and was a master electrician along with owning and operating several small businesses and farms during his working years. He was a licensed pilot and operated an airport and flying service at Hot Springs, South Dakota. He was a beloved husband, father and devoted grandpa to his two grandchildren, who were the light of his life. He was known for his tough love and dry wit but had a heart for service to others. He was a true cowboy at heart and a lifelong avid horse enthusiast and belonged to and participated in many horse related organizations and events during his life time, most recently the National High School Rodeo Association and the Norm Bryant Foundation of Springdale. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Sletten and sister, Marilyn Hresko. Survivors include his wife, Shirley (Eslinger) Sletten whom he married November 8, 1958 at Garrison, North Dakota; two daughters, Melanie Sletten and Lori Blackwell; two grandchildren, Cassie Blackwell and Brady Blackwell, all of Springdale, Arkansas; as well as two nieces and two nephews. Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 from 6-8 p.m., and Thursday, April 28, 2016 from 10-10:30 a.m. at the church. Funeral services will be held at Salem Lutheran Church on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Mark Krause will officiate the service with burial to follow at the Friendship Cemetery. Memorials may be made in his name to the Arkansas Sheriff's Youth Ranch, Equestrian Program, P.O. Box 3964, Batesville, Ark. 72503 or to the Salem Lutheran Memorial Fund, 1800 W. Emma Ave. Springdale, Ark. 72762. To sign the online guest book, visit www.Backstrom-Pyeatte.com.