Anna Mae Sletten, 75, died Sunday, August 08, 2004 at the CNC Unit, Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls.

Funeral service will be 2 :00 PM, Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend John Wollenzien officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Tuesday, August 10, 2004 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN and for one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Anna Mae Abrahamson was born May 12, 1929 at Warren, MN, the daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Stano) Abrahamson. She was baptized and confirmed into the Christian Faith. She grew up, attended and graduated from Warren High School.

In 1947, Anna married Earl Besch and the couple moved to Thief River Falls in the early 1950s.

On March 1, 1958, Anna was united in marriage to Howard Sletten. In the early 1960s, the couple moved to Rocksbury Township where they ran a dairy operation for many years. They retired from the dairy business in 1990 and continued to remain very active on the farm. She also worked out of the house at various restaurants in Thief River Falls.

Anna was a Gold Star Mother and held membership in the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and sold produce to many people in the area. She enjoyed country western and gospel music, canning, baking and especially spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Survived by 6 children, Mavis (Larry) Martinson, Thief River Falls, MN, Bill (Vienna) Besch, Seattle, WA, Marilyn Chalich, Ramsey, MN, Gene Sletten, Thief River Falls, MN, Yvonne (Mark) Hall, Blue Springs, MO and Michelle (Paul) Malmanger, Thief River Falls, MN; 10 grandchildren, Kelly (special friend, Robin Byrne) Martinson, Keith (Colleen) Martinson, Bebe and Shayna Besch, Luke Chalich, John Hall, Brittany and Chelsey Swanson, Shelby and Emily Malmanger; 2 great-grandchildren, Julie and Nathan Martinson; sisters, Lillian (Ed) Wilson, Betty (Eugene) Bengs, John (Nancy) Abrahamson, Fern Frothingham, Dorothie Abrahamson and Richard (Diane) Abrahamson and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by husband, Howard, September 25, 1999; son, Robert Besch; 2 grandchildren, Tammi Myers and Adam Chalich; parents and sister, Donna Engelstad.

ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Softly and Tenderly , Amazing Grace , How Great Thou Art and In The Garden
PALLBEARERS: Keith Martinson, Kelly Martinson, Daniel Sletten, Rodney Sletten