Henry Arnold Slinger Jr.

Henry Slinger Jr., age 94 of Jackson, Minnesota entered into eternal rest on Monday, January 18, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society in Jackson. A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Jackson, with Father Jonathan Fasnacht officiating. Burial will take place following mass at the Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery in Jackson with full military rites by the Jackson American Legion Post #130. The funeral mass will be live streamed on the Osterberg Funeral Home Facebook page. 

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Jackson VFW Post #900.

Henry Arnold Slinger Jr., son of Henry Sr. and Elizabeth (Bult) Slinger, was born on July 13, 1926 in Woodstock, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm with his 12 siblings. Henry attended country school through the 8th grade, and he worked on the family farm until, at the age of 18, he was drafted into the United States Navy on December 12, 1944.  After bootcamp he served in the South Pacific until October 1945, when he returned to the states. Henry was honorably discharged on July 15, 1946 with the rank of Gunner Mate 3/c. In 1950, he farmed with his older brother Ed near Lake Wilson, Minnesota. Henry was united in marriage to Mary Francis DeWitte on June 5, 1951 at St. Leos Catholic Church in Pipestone, Minnesota. They continued farming in the Lake Wilson area, where they raised their four daughters, Kathleen, Diane, Gloria, and Judy. They were members of St. Martins Catholic Church in Woodstock, Minnesota. Farm life continued, until their farm sale in December 1966. Henry, Mary, and family then moved to Jackson, Minnesota, where Henry furthered his education under the GI Bill and attended Jackson Vocational School, gaining his high school equivalency and a degree in Fertilizer and Agricultural Chemicals. He worked for Midland Cooperative and its successor where he was the fertilizer Plant Manager for 18 ½ years. Upon retirement, Henry worked at the local grocery store and did various other odd jobs. Upon moving to Jackson, Henry became a member of Good Shephard Catholic Church and was also a member of the V.F.W. Post #900. In 2011, Henry had the privilege to participate in an Honor Flight for WWII Vets to Washington, D.C.  In 2019, Henry became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society, where he entered eternal rest at the age of 94 years, 5 months, and 17 days.

Henry was an outgoing gentleman. Anyone who knew him, knew that he was always working in some capacity, and seldomly ever sat still. Henry was a prolific gardener and was blessed with a "green thumb" family and friends enjoyed many blessings from his garden harvest. Henry was known as being a very “punny” man. He was always ready with a joke and if you were lucky a cucumber from his garden. Henry was always willing to help others out when they needed it.  Spending time with family was of high importance to Henry. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cherishing every moment he got to spend time playing with them. Henry has left behind a lifetime of memories for his family to cherish for the years to come.

Henry is survived by his daughters Kathleen (Ron) Vrchota of Jackson, MN, Diane (Doug) Yager of Sioux Falls, SD, Gloria (Alan II) Burkard of Sioux Falls, SD and Judy (Tom) Felber of Hutchinson, MN; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Brian Vrchota, Bradley (Cassie) Vrchota- Sam and Claire, Wyatt (Lisa) Yager-Oliver and Mabel, Weston Yager, Allan Burkard III, Lori (Mike) Ellitott-Aimes, Kyle (Marie) Felber -Kathryn, Christian, Nathan and Isaac, Lyndsey (Brett) Stadsklev-Soren and Kellen, Alex (Shelby) Felber; sisters Margaret Slinger and Betty Staab; sisters-in-law Rosie Slinger and Angeline DeWitte; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Henry is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Mary, parents Henry Sr. and Elizabeth, brothers Edward, Walter, Louis, Joseph, Bernard, and twin brother William, sisters Mary Arens, Martha Peiffer, Agnes Chapman, and Helen Burkard, and in laws Omer DeWitte, Charles, and Joyce DeWitte.

Blessed be the memory of Henry Arnold Slinger Jr.

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