John "Jack" Henry Slater

            JOHN “JACK” HENRY SLATER, age 83, of rural Rushmore, died Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at his home. He was born October 30, 1937, on the family farm south of Wilmont, to William and Elizabeth (Balster) Slater. He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic School.
            Jack married the love of his life, LaVonne Johanning, on May 23, 1959 at St. Kilian Catholic Church. The couple lived and farmed on the same place Jack was born and lived his entire life.
            He was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Wilmont, where he served on the Parish Council as President. He also volunteered on the Calvary Cemetery Board, sang in the church choir, and was the church’s first Eucharistic Minister. Jack was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He gave 18 years of his time serving in various positions on the Adrian School Board, including Chairman of the Board. As President of the Wilmont Booster Club, he spearheaded the 75th year town celebration. Jack was instrumental in the organization of the Wilmont Family Recreation Center.

Jack was always up for an adventure, often the one to initiate spontaneous excursions. He always made people laugh with his pranks and jokes. He was an outdoorsman who loved hunting, snowmobiling, water skiing and riding & driving horses. Jack was skilled at woodworking and found joy in gifting his projects to his family. Another pleasure in life was traveling domestically and internationally to see God’s creation. Jack cherished time with his grandchildren, always making time to attend their activities. There’s no doubt that farming was his ultimate passion. You could often find Jack smiling ear to ear while digging in the dirt or running the combine. Even in his final hours, he was monitoring the progress of the harvest.
            Carrying on Jack’s legacy are his adored wife, LaVonne Slater, Rushmore; seven children, Mark (Leslie) Slater, Rushmore; Michael (Lynn Johnson) Slater, Wilmont; Gary (Teresa) Slater, Rushmore; Natalie (Randy) Reker, Adrian; Kent “Hopper” (Coreen) Slater, Rushmore; Eileen (Kyle) Heitkamp, Excelsior; and Mary (Zarir) Erani, Excelsior; twenty-two grandchildren, Libby, Max (Haley) & Marty Slater; Tom Slater; Katy (Kevin) Zogg, Natasha Slater, Nicole (Steve) Kelly & Matthew (Jackie) Slater; Taren, Jordan (Briana), Zach (Shelby) & Tony (Austyn) Reker; Trent, Jenna, Jesse (Megan) & Lexi Slater; Marshall, Hannah & Lincoln Heitkamp; Taeya (John) De Vries, Rainer & Aiden Erani; seven great-grandchildren, Kinsley & Brooks Slater; Mara Zogg; Braxton & Layne Reker; Sutton Reker; and Colt Slater; a brother-in-law, Edwin (Norma) Johanning, Worthington; and many nieces & nephews.
            Welcoming him into heaven are his parents; an infant son, Carl in 1965; and a brother, Victor Slater.

   Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Friday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, in Wilmont, with Parish Prayers at 4 pm. Visitation also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Funeral Mass will be 10 am Saturday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, in Wilmont, officiated by Monsignor Richard Colletti. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Wilmont.

   Dingmann Funeral Home, in Wilmont is in charge of arrangements.

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