Leo H Slotsve

Leo H. Slotsve, 94, Minot, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, in a Minot hospital.

Leo was born Nov. 28, 1913, on the family farm 1 1/2 miles northwest of Powers Lake, the son of Ole and Lizzy (Rude) Slotsve. He grew up in the Baptist faith and was raised and educated in Powers Lake. He played basketball for the Powers Lake Independent Night Hawks and helped bring home a state title in 1936 with his brother Clifton Slotsve on the team. Leo was awarded a trophy for outstanding player in the tournament. Leo also played high school basketball with his brother Ottis.

He entered the Army on Jan. 21, 1942. He served with Battery A of the 395th Field Artillery Battalion in Normandy, northern France, Rhineland, West Germany, Ardennes, the Battle of the Bulge and central Europe during World War II. He earned the Bronze Service Arrowhead and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 23, 1945. Leo worked construction for a time on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco before returning to North Dakota.

While in Germany, Leo met his future wife, Johanna. On May 10, 1948, Leo married Johanna Grosskopf in Minot. In 1946, he went into partnership with Bernie Irwin and together they ran the City Barbershop in Minot. In 1960 he purchased the barbershop and owned and operated it until 1973, when it was destroyed by fire. Leo continued to barber at the Town and Country Barbershop, the North Hill Barbershop and later the Minot Air Force Base Barbershop and he barbered well into his 80s. His wife, Johanna, died on Jan. 5, 2003. Leo entered Trinity Homes in May 2003, where he since had lived.

Leo loved to bowl and bowled in a Minot league from 1952 until 2003 and many weeks he bowled twice a week. He bowled with several different teams, but in the 1980s he was on the Eagles and Peterson Excavating teams. He loved to play cards and was an avid pinochle and checkers player. He was a member of the Eagles Aerie, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Moose Lodge, all in Minot.

Leo was a very kind, helpful and gentle man who will be missed dearly by his loving family.

Those who shared in his life: Daughter, Linda (Daniel) Adam, Minot; sister, Lillian (Ariel) May, Sauk Rapids, Minn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leo was preceded in death by his wife, Johanna; daughter, Rose Marie Slotsve; his parents; brothers, Glen, Ottis and Clifton Slotsve; and sisters, Gladys Slotsve, Hazel Jensen and Grace Breding.

Funeral: Monday, Oct. 13, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Homes Chapel, Minot.

Visitation: Sunday, Oct. 12, from noon to 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, and Monday, one hour prior to the service, at Trinity Homes Chapel.

Burial: Monday at 3:15 p.m. at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.