Ardean Leland Sleen

Ardean Leland Sleen, age 92, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Pelican Valley Senior Living, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.Ardean Leland Sleen was born on November 11, 1924, at the Boysen Hospital in Pelican Rapids, the son of Simon and Bessie (Jenson) Sleen. He was baptized and confirmed at Ringsaker Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. He attended rural school District # 288 near Pelican Rapids and continued his education at North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota, taking courses in mechanics and welding. Ardean worked on the family farm. Then he worked as a mechanic at Ness and Bredahl Implement in Pelican Rapids for a few years. In 1953 Ardean and Garfield Bakken became partners in an auto repair business. In 1955 Ardean became sole proprietor and the business became Sleen's Auto Repair. He owned and operated the business until he retired in1993. On June 29, 1968 Ardean married Esther Ellingson at Vukku Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in Pelican Rapids.Ardean was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. He volunteered in church and the community.Ardean enjoyed music, playing several instruments with the violin being his favorite. He also enjoyed hunting and fished out West and Canada. Ardean liked traveling throughout the United States, Norway, Hawaii and Alaska.Ardean is survived by his wife, Esther of Pelican Rapids; sister-in-law, Margaret Bratvold of Fergus Falls, MN; brother-in-law, Eldon Brenden of Rothsay, MN; 2 nieces: Joeline (Lee) Moe and Shirley (Dennis) Ficek; and 4 nephews: David (Barb) Englund, Dale (Beth) Englund, Dean (Sandy) Englund and Denny (Bev) Sleen and Esther's nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Lawrence and Marge Sleen, sister and brother-in-law, Marlys and Don Englund, sister-in-law, Marilyn Brenden; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Bratvold; and nephew, Darrell Sleen. Visitation: Friday, March 31, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, MN. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, MinnesotaClergy: Pastor Scott BlockBurial: Ringsaker Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, MinnesotaPlease keep the Sleen family in your thoughts and prayers.Funeral Home: Larson Funeral Home 304 3rd Street S.E. Pelican Rapids, MN US 56572 Ardean Sleen's Funeral Folder