Dean R. Slininger, 80, of Ada, MN, passed away on April 11, 2026, at St. Catherine North in Fargo, ND, under the care of Sanford Fargo Hospice.
Dean Russell Slininger was born on February 10, 1946, in Ada, MN, to Russell and Lorraine (Benesh) Slininger. He was the only son among five children. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. Dean graduated in 1964 from the Northwest School of Agriculture at the University of
Minnesota in Crookston.
Dean was drafted into the United States Army in 1965 and proudly served for two years with B Battery, 6th
Battalion, 29th Artillery. During his service, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he formed lifelong
friendships he deeply cherished.
On June 6, 1970, Dean married Lorraine Clark. Together they made their home on a farm east of Twin
Valley, MN, where they raised their four children: Robert, Tammy, Angie, and Wanda. Alongside farming,
they raised beef cattle for many years before eventually moving to North Fargo.
Following his years in farming, Dean dedicated 25 years to driving semi-truck over the road, a career he
truly enjoyed. Even after retirement, he remained active, helping an Ada farmer during the sugar beet
harvest. Until his health declined, he found great joy in being on the road, often driving through the
countryside he loved.
Dean cherished attending his grandchildren’s events and spending summer days at the lake with family and
friends. He especially enjoyed visiting with others and sharing stories of farming and his years in trucking.
Dean spent 19 cherished years in Arizona with Antoneta Skokin and later with Bev Conant. During that
time, he enjoyed four-wheeler rides in the mountains, countless hours making and playing games of
Aggravation, and visiting with friends in the park. He also took great pride in being a member of the
American Legion and was a lifelong member of the VFW in Ada.
He looked forward each year to attending his Army reunions, where he reconnected with fellow service
members and shared in the camaraderie he valued so deeply.
Dean is survived by his son, Robert (Melanie) of Blaine, MN; daughters, Tammy (Mike) Schmidt of
Moorhead, MN, and Wanda (Bob) Terry of West Fargo, ND; and son-in-law, Jim Boisjolie of Ashby, MN.
He is also survived by his sister, Carol (Loren) Sturdevant of Glenrock, WY; brothers-in-law, Leo (Marcy)
Jacobson of Park Rapids, MN, Larry Wold of Felton, MN, and Bob (Gina) Miller of Ada, MN; as well as
his beloved grandchildren, Hailey (Andrew Miller) Thornton, Casie (Bryce) Johnson, Paige (Kaylynn
Nyod) Schmidt, Bellamy and Violet Slininger, and Parker and Oliver Terry; and great-grandchildren,
Kenzie, Finley, and Maverick Miller. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-
nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine “Granny” Slininger; daughter, Angie Boisjolie; his parents,
Russell and Lorraine; and his sisters, Ardell Wold, Beverly Jacobson, and Eunice Slininger.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Honor Flight ND/MN, Sanford Hospice, or a local hospice
organization.
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Monday, April 20, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.
Visitation: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church, Ada, MN with a prayer service to begin at 5:30 PM.
Interment with full military rites: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN
