Kenneth Munroe Slater

Kenneth Munroe Slater, 89 years, of Middle Lake, passed away on January 25, 2020.  Ken was born on July 28, 1930 in Wakaw, SK to Clarence and Agnes (nee Masiowski) Slater.  He was oldest of seven children and their only son, becoming an older brother to Violet, Nina, Doreen, Muriel, Anne and Lorraine.  His first years were spent on a farm east of St. Benedict where he attended MacKintosh School.  In 1944, the family moved to the present Slater farm, east of Middle Lake.  As a teenager, Ken left the farm to work in Penhold, AB and then in 1949, he rode a train to Northern Ontario where he worked in a lumber camp.  In the early 1950’s, in addition to working on the family farm, he and his father Clarence started a land clearing business, opening up many acres in the local area.  It was in the mid 50’s that Ken began working with Kirsch Construction, a working relationship and friendship that would last to the present time.  In 1959, Ken married his love and lifelong partner, Marlene Lange and together they raised three children, Sandra, Randall, and Bradley.  They moved to Saskatoon where he worked construction until relocating to Cutbank where he was employed on the South Saskatchewan Dam Project.  In the fall of 1966, Ken, Marlene, and their children made one last move back to Middle Lake to take over the family farm, where he progressively expanded the operations.  He resumed work in the land clearing business, a sideline he was involved in until he was no longer able to climb up on a machine.  Never one to sit idle, at the age of 72, Ken and his son went into the gravel hauling business.  Ken was always interested and involved in local politics   He was a fervent supporter of Universal Health Care and passionate about social programs to help the less fortunate.  Ken was a loyal member of the National Farmer’s Union and supporter of the Canadian Wheat Board.  He was Reeve of the R.M. of 3 Lakes from 1998 until 2008 and served another 2 years as councillor.  Ken loved the farm and would have spent the rest of his life there, however health problems prevented this and from the summer of 2015 he spent his last years in Bethany Pioneer Village.  He loved being outdoors, fishing, hunting, and golfing well into his 70’s.  Ken was a people person, enjoying visits with family and friends over a game of cards or anywhere he might meet up with them.  Above all, Ken loved his family and was always concerned about their well being and offering support when needed.   He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Marlene Slater of Middle Lake; their three children, two grandchildren and one great grandson:  Sandra (Blaine) Deering of Creston, BC; Randall (Aileen) Slater of Wakaw and his family Desirae Slater and son Dreymon and Bronson Slater, all of Saskatoon; and Bradley Slater of Middle Lake;  four sisters:  Doreen Brown of Saskatoon, Muriel Heddon of Penticton, BC, Anne Folden of Saskatoon, and Lorraine Perault of Oliver, BC and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Clarence and Agnes Slater and sisters Nina Rankel and Vi Kitter. Ken’s family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Bethany Pioneer Village for the excellent care that he received while living there, and to the staff at Humboldt District Hospital for their care when he was a patient.   The Funeral Service for Ken took place on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home officiated by Fr. Colin Roy. Memorial donations in Kenneth’s memory may be directed to Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan or Bethany Pioneer Village