Obituary of Charles Slater

Charles N. Slater, 72, of Cambridge passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Unity Hospital in Fridley. Charles was born March 12, 1939, to Nathan and Charlotte (Nyberg) Slater in Athens Township, Isanti County. He is a 1957 graduate from Cambridge High School where he was a member of the football team and band. He was in the Army Reserve for about five years. March 19, 1960, Charles married Marie Flom and they raised three children and were foster parents for 23 ½ years. In 1981, Charles and Marie were nominated for Foster Parent Representative of Isanti County, which was forwarded to the state level for final selection at the Minnesota Social Services Annual Conference. They were awarded as runners-up along with another couple. Over the years, Charles worked for St. Paul Grain; then in 1961 bought the Shell Station in Cambridge, he was the Proprietor of the station for about six years. During that time, he and his brother Tommy started up the Triumph Motorcycle dealership/Motorcycle Shop and an Allis Chalmers Dealership. He managed Glen Tires then later worked at UPS as a mechanic. He worked for a summer for Polzins Movers, then he purchased the business and continued moving buildings for 40+ years. While moving buildings he also farmed West of Cambridge in Wyanett Township raising crops and livestock. In the 1970's Charles and his brother John operated Slater Bros Trucking Livestock & Freight for about 7 years. In the early 80's he began driving truck over the road. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Charlotte Slater, brothers Duane and Tommy. He is survived by his wife Marie, son Mike and wife Lynette Slater and their two children, Daniel and Stephanie of St. Cloud; son Greg and wife Catherine Slater and their three children, Jocelyn, Brandon and Travis of Princeton; daughter Kelley and husband Brian Torkelson and their three children Joel, Angela and Mitchell of Princeton; sister Judy Ziebarth of Cambridge; brother John and wife Nancy Slater of Cambridge; sister-in-law Karen Padget Slater of St. Louis Park; aunt Eka Heiser of Pinkney, MI, aunt Delores Nyberg of Richfield, MN; many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, foster children and friends.