Obituary of Bessie Sletten

SLETTEN- Mrs. Bessie Sletten, age 97, late of Mont Nebo, passed away in Whispering Pine Place in Canwood on Thursday, August 26, 2010. Bessie was born on her parent's homestead near Kilwinning on July 6, 1913. Her family moved to Canwood, then to Mont Nebo, where Bessie attended school. It was a two and one half mile walk, which was done after the morning chores. She was baptized in the Shell River when she was 14, and traveled by horseback to Church and Bible Study meetings. Bessie's father was a horse trader, and Bessie would help bring home horses, which was an overnight trip from Prince Albert. Bessie and her sisters did housework for the neighbours for some spending money. She married Obert Sletten on June 1, 1936, and they raised two children, Leonard and Thelma. Bessie continued helping with the farm work, looking after livestock and cleaning the barn. In 1998 she moved to her daughter Thelma's farm, and in 2008 moved to Whispering Pine Place in Canwood. Bessie will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Thelma (Francis) Bazley of Canwood; her sister, Annie Kaardal of Nanaimo BC; grandchildren, Tim (Rhonda) Sletten of North Battleford, Paula (Lyle) Ashe of Saskatoon; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her dear husband, Obert in 1967; her son Leonard in 1994; her grandson Shawn Alan in 1967; two sisters, Swea Larson, Myrtle Bazley; her brother Andrew Swanson and 2 infant brothers; a nephew Gordon Swanson; her parents Jens and Matilda Swanson. The funeral service was held on Thursday, Sept. 2 at 2:00 pm at the Evangelical Free Church in Mont Nebo with Pastor Bill Klumpenhower as officiant. The eulogy was read by Lyle Ashe, the organist was Elaine Heinbigner and the soloist was Dorothy Brad. Memorial donations may be made to the Mont Nebo Evangelical Free Church, or the Shellbrook and Districts Health Services Project. Interment was in Aaseral Cemetery.