LeRoy Theodore Slater, age 90, died peacefully in his sleep on April 23, 2026 in Moose Lake, MN.   Born to Roy and Pauline (Nathan) Slater on July 19, 1935 in Linton, North Dakota.  He was the second oldest of 7 children.  He moved with his family to Mahtowa, MN when he was a little boy and farmed with his dad.  As he grew older, LeRoy found a love of horses.  Having his own ponies and riding them everywhere.  He married Marlene Peterson and together they had 4 children.  He worked for Johnson Thoroughbreds in Two Harbors as barn manager and made several trips to Kentucky delivering horses back and forth.  After a few years, they bought a home in Mahtowa and raised jersey cows and registered quarter horses.  He was an avid horseman, as anyone can attest to.   He became very successful and well known in the horse world not only raising horses, but also, breeding, training, and showing at the highest level.  His greatest love was for his horse, his pride and joy, Marina City.  His greatest accomplishment was being only one point away from making Marina City an AQHA Champion.  Throughout his years he became well known in the Minnesota and American Quarter Horse Associations.  He worked closely with  4-H and did quite a bit of judging also.   He and Marlene divorced in 1971 and he moved to the Twin Cities where he met Lynn Hovey.  Together they had two children and continued with the raising of quarter horses.  Both he and Lynn showed the horses for many years.  He and Lynn moved back up to the Mahtowa area when his daughter Linda stayed with them, and then moved to Brookston.  He was also an accomplished mechanic and worked for Don Bean Motors, Carlton Motors, Doug Mathers Ford, Elliot Packing in Duluth, Teamsters on the pipeline in Montana, and Duluth Transit.  After his health would no longer allow him to work as a mechanic he became a driver for the Duluth Transit Authority.  He loved driving the bus and making new friends along his routes.  He retired from the DTA in 1996 and bought a small farm in Atkinson Township.  He continued with his horses and showing in all the local shows with his daughter Marci, husband Gary, and granddaughter Beth.  In 2014, he retired from the farm and moved to Willow River.   He then worked for Grand Casino in Hinckley where he made many more new friends. We will all be grateful for daughter Cindy as she would always go and visit him every Sunday and bring him meals. She was the highlight of his week.  He lived in Willow River until he fell and broke his leg in October of 2025 and that would change his life as he knew it.    Due to complications from his leg surgery, he was never the same and moved to Moose Lake Village in December where he spent his final days.  He always had plenty of visitors to keep him company.  Always a smile on his face when you visited.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Lucille Slater, Pearl Nelson, Shirley Slater White, and Robert Slater.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children.  Cindy Slater of Cloquet, Marci (Gary) Moreland of Carlton, Linda (Mike) Conner of Mahtowa, Todd (Debbi) Slater of Mahtowa, Matthew Slater of Aitkin, and Renee (Justin) Keezer of Waubun.  Grandchildren:  Brandon (Nikki) Crotteau of Esko, Nathan (Breanna) Crotteau of Moose Lake, Tamara Crotteau of Cloquet; Beth (Isaac) Schatz of Carlton, Dustin (Elizabeth) Moreland of Wrenshall, Timothy Fogelberg of Duluth, Laura (Miles Moreland) Fogelberg of Duluth, Zack (Cassey) Slater of Fargo, ND, Tory Slater of Mahtowa, Jacob Walker, Sara Anderson, and Bekka Anderson.  Great-Grandchildren:  Talon, Braelyn, Hamilton, and Harrison Crotteau, Genevieve and Zander Lees, Kadin, Ila, Ellie, Piper, and Ora Crotteau, Tyler and Mason Schatz; Gavin, Riley, and Hudson Moreland, Luna Fogelberg, Josephine Moreland, Dawson and Levi Slater; Sister Faye (Ron) Jacobson of Rogers, MN. and brother Larry (Karen) Slater of Moose Lake.  AND a very special friend, Steve Sikkink of Hinckley.

Service will be held on Friday, May 1, at the Mahtowa Covenant Church.  Visitation one hour prior to service at 10:00 am.    Service at 11:00. Officiated by Pastor Stephen Osborne.  Private graveside services will be held at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Hamlin-Hanson-Kosloski funeral home in Moose Lake.