Marlyn Slettum

Marlyn Dennis Slettum was born on January 13, 1938, in Turtle Lake, North Dakota. A 1956 graduate of Fargo Central High School and a 1960 graduate of Concordia College-Moorhead, he eventually settled in Montevideo where he worked for 34 years at Chippewa County Family Services. As a mental health, adult protection, and senior services social worker, Marlyn co-founded the Meals-on-Wheels program and was a charter member of the Mental Health Local Advisory Council.Community service was important to Marlyn, including volunteer work with the Chippewa County Historical Society, the local Park Board, charter member of the community band and the Pioneerland Library Board. He served Our Savior's Lutheran Church as Deacon, Chair-Board of Worship, member-choir and Men's Club, and assisted with shut-in communion and funeral services.Marlyn's passions included conversations with people; nature and bird-watching; playing piano, singing, and listening to music; reading; antiquing; pursuit of his Icelandic/Norwegian roots and heritage; and anything related to enjoying his collector cars, model car/memorabilia collection, and time with car clubs like the Scenic Valley Cruisers. Marlyn's life was centered on his beloved wife Maxine (of 48 years), family, grandchildren, and cats. He was most content being at home, working in his garage and walking through the backyard flower gardens. He is survived by his wife Maxine (Anderson); children Ann Slettum, St. Paul, MN, Mark and Stacy (Wahl) Slettum, Slayton, MN; grandchildren Noah and Kate; sister Shirley (Slettum) Larson, St. Paul; sister-in-law Ethy Anderson, Willmar, MN; and brother-in-law Merriam (Andy) Anderson, Montevideo. He was preceded in death by parents Melvin and Sigrid (Dinusson) Slettum; in-laws Milton and Solveig (Lyngen) Anderson; and brother-in-law Vincent Larson. Marlyn died peacefully on November 15, 2013, with his wife and children at his hospital bedside. Strong in his faith, he fought his cancer to the end.