May 13, 2024

Roswell “Lee” Slater

Kearney, Nebraska

By O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Homes
Roswell “Lee” Slater, 86 of Kearney, Nebraska, formerly of Gibbon, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at Mt. Carmel Keens Memorial Home in Kearney.

Roswell “Lee” Slater, 86, of Kearney, Nebraska, formerly of Gibbon, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at Mt. Carmel Keens Memorial Home in Kearney. (Contributed )

Roswell “Lee” Slater, 86, of Kearney, Nebraska, formerly of Gibbon, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at Mt. Carmel Keens Memorial Home in Kearney. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Faith United Church in Gibbon. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 4, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Faith United Church, Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department or to the Gibbon Trap Team. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Lee was born Sept. 10, 1937, to Roswell and Lurene (Johnson) Slater in North Platte, Nebraska. He was raised in Creston, and received his education from Creston High School, graduating with the class of 1956. On Jan. 20, 1957, Lee was united in marriage to Janet Rose Stewart in Creston. To this union three children were blessed. He was employed by Nebraska Central Telephone Company for 50 years.

Lee was a long-time member of Faith United Church in Gibbon and was active in numerous committees. He was also a past member of the Gibbon Volunteer Fire Department where he served from 1964-1992. During which, Lee was a first aid instructor and president from 1981-1992. Lee served two terms as president of Gibbon Chamber of Commerce and was a charter member of Jaycee’s. He also served on the city council, was a past Boy Scout leader and a proud member of the NRA.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Melody (Dan) Rockefeller of Gibbon and Tammy (John) Goodbrake of Kearney; Janet’s son, Sid (Deb) Howell; grandchildren, Shane (Stacy) Rockefeller, Clint (Timaree) Smith, Tyler (Kayla) Smith, Kyle (Jazzmyn) Smith, Quincy (Alaina) Slater, LeKeisha (Steven) Howe, Jason (Michelle) Howell, Amanda (Chad) Ferguson, Heather (Shawn) Ficklin and Sara (Dustin) Littlejohn; 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Jo Ann (Ken) Knudson of Arizona; as well as many extended family and friends.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet Slater; son, David Slater; grandson, Royce Rockefeller; brother-in-law, Fred Howell; many aunts, uncles, cousins and longtime hunting friends, Gary York (Mountains) and Doc Sallenbach (Upland game).