LEVON V. SLAUGHTER, 84 years, of Rosalie, Nebraska, passed away Monday, May 26, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, surrounded by his wife and children.

Levon was born at his parent’s Pender, Nebraska farm home on April 23, 1924, the sixth child to Art and Stella (Frey) Slaughter. Levon graduated from Pender High in 1941. He married Mary Lee Beck on April 5, 1943. To this union four children were born. Levon and Mary Lee spent 65 wonderful years together. They farmed near Pender one year before Levon was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1944. Levon was stationed in Newfoundland until the end of World War II and was honorably discharged on April 24, 1946.

Following his discharge, he returned to farming in the Pender area and later near Rosalie where he has resided until his death. Besides his love for the land and raising livestock, Levon enjoyed dancing, playing guitar, bowling, softball, cards, fishing, traveling and especially his family. He also enjoyed coaching the Rosalie Ladies Softball Team for several years.

Levon was a lifetime member of the Oakland Ryan VFW Post No. 5543. He served on the School Board for Parks School and Rosalie Public Schools. He was an active member of the Rosalie United Methodist Church, where in October 2002, he was recognized for 50 years of membership.

Levon loved adventure and travel. Through their many travels he and his wife visited South America, Africa, Italy and France. While taking a three month motor home trip through Alaska, Levon flew with a Bush pilot to Burrow, Alaska (the northern tip of Alaska). A special trip for them was going through the Panama Canal. On their 50th wedding anniversary they took their entire family on a Caribbean Cruise. Recently Levon and son, Tim, took a memory trip back to Newfoundland where Levon was station during World War II – 65 years ago.

Back in the States, Levon and Mary Lee spent their winters vacationing in Florida and their summers in Minnesota. Levon would go wherever the fish were biting. For several years Levon and Mary Lee accepted invitations to several elementary schools as well as senior centers giving educational talks and demonstrations on sharks’ teeth and various marine objects they would bring home from their travels.

Levon was preceded in death by his only sister, Leola Seward, and all his brothers: Lloyd, Russell, Alton “Buck” and twin brother, Leon.

Levon is survived by his wife: Mary Lee; daughters: Jackie Olson and  Susan (Don) Thies of Lyons, Nebraska; son: Tim (Vickie) Slaughter of Rosalie: daughter: Judi Murtaugh of South Sioux City, Nebraska; nine grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters-in-law: Leota Slaughter of Rosalie and Melba Slaughter of Lyons.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, May 30, 2008, 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Rosalie, Nebraska.

VISITATION: Thursday, May 29th from 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 - 8 p.m. and a 7 p.m. PRAYER SERVICE all at Pelan Funeral Home in Lyons. Visitation will also be held Friday at the church one hour prior to the service.

MILITARY HONORS: Oakland Ryan VFW Post No.5543 and American Legion Post No. 46

BURIAL: Lyons Cemetery, Lyons, Nebraska

MEMORIALS: To the Family

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com