Leslie Joseph Slechta

Leslie J. Slechta was born on a farm south of Vail, Iowa, October 12, 1918, the son of Joseph and Agnes Starek Slechta. The family moved to a farm north of Vail where he was raised, receiving his education in the Stockholm # 7 rural school. On October 12, 1941, Leslie was united in marriage with Mildred "Millie" Kahler at the Presbyterian Manse in Vail. Their union was blessed with three children, James, Judith and Scott. They made their home on the farm north of Vail where Les was actively engaged in farming until retiring at the age of 65. During his farming career he was a member of the Crawford County Farm Bureau, Pork Producers and Cattleman?s Association. Throughout their lives Les and Millie loved to travel having visited all 48 Continental States, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Cruises to the Bahamas and Central America and one trip to Europe. Les especially enjoyed socializing with family and friends and meeting new people. It was through their travels that Les and Millie became interested in the International Youth Farm Exchange Program and, through the years, hosted students from Columbia, Argentina, India, Africa and Japan. Other interests that occupied his time included listening to the farm report on the radio, watching the sports of baseball, basketball, football, wrestling and car racing, and fishing. In 1948, Les was baptized and joined the United Presbyterian Church in Vail where he had served as a Deacon and on the Men?s Council and he was a 60 year member of the Diamond Lodge No. 442, A.F. & A. M., Vail, Iowa. In November of 2002 Les and Millie moved from the farm into Vail. Leslie died early Thursday, August 28, 2008, at Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison, Iowa. Including his parents, Joseph and Agnes Slechta, Les was preceded in death their daughter, Judith Ann Slechta and one sister, Wiladene Grell. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of over 66 years, Millie Slechta of Vail, two sons and their wives, James and Faylenne Slechta of Vail and Scott and Patricia Slechta of Fairfield, Iowa, six grandchildren, Steven Slechta and wife, Kelly of Glidden, Iowa, David Slechta of Westside, Iowa and Margaret, Emily, Claire and Price Slechta all of Fairfield, Iowa, two great grandchildren, Stephanie and Matthew Slechta of Glidden, Iowa, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 30, 2008, at the United Presbyterian Church in Vail, Iowa, with the Rev. Richard Francis officiating. Music for the service was provided by the congregation singing "This Is My Father?s World" and "How Great Thou Art" with Ruth Noelck serving as organist. Honorary Pallbearers included Kelly, Margaret, Emily, Claire, Price, Stephanie and Matthew Slechta. Pallbearers were Steven Slechta, David Slechta, Jon Starek, the Rev. Kevin J. Freese, Dean Grell and Ron Bockelmann. Burial was at the Vail Cemetery in Vail. Following the interment the family invited everyone to join them at Cronks in Denison for lunch and fellowship. Rather than mailing individual thank you notes, the family would like to take this opportunity to thank Eventide for their care of Leslie and to each of you for your many expressions of sympathy extended to them at this time, including your kind words, prayers, food, flowers and memorials. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , in Denison was in charge of arrangements.