Mary Elaine (Yenck) Slater (1953-1982)

LARUE, SLATER, YENCK

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:59

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Wednesday, January 06, 1982
Page 6, Column 3

Mary Slater dies Sunday

Mrs. Roger (Mary Elaine) Slater, 28, died Sunday evening at her home. Services will be held on Wednesday, at 2 p.m. at the Church of the Open Bible. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Survivors include her husband. Roger; her mother, Mrs. Helen Arlene Yenck, two brothers and two sisters.

A complete obituary will be published next week.

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Wednesday, January 13, 1982
Page 29 [8], Column 1

MARIE ELAINE SLATER

Mrs. Mary Elaine Slater, the daughter of James N. and Helen Arlene LaRue Yenck, was born at Fort Dodge, Iowa on Sept. 5, 1953. She grew up in Eagle Grove and graduated from the Eagle Grove High School in the Class of 1971. She was united in marriage with Roger A. Slater of Eagle Grove on January 18, 1971 in South Dakota. The couple made their home in Eagle Grove, where Roger is employed at the Post Office. Mary died at the Slater home on Sunday evening, January 3, 1982, after suffering a heart attack. She attained the age of 28 years, 3 months and 28 days.

She is survived by her husband, Roger of Eagle Grove; her mother, Mrs. Helen Arlene Yenck of Eagle Grove, her brothers, James M. Yenck of Kirksville, Missouri; Mark D. Yenck of Clarion; her sisters, Susan E. Yenck of Eagle Grove; and Kelly Jo Yenck of Eagle Grove and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, who died in 1978, and an infant brother and two infant sisters.

Mary's friends numbered many, because she was kind to everyone and tried hard not to hurt anyone. Her love of children was unequaled although she and Roger weren't to be blessed with any.

Mary was also a "Dragon-Slayer" in the truest sense, having to fight a continual battle with her heart disease, which the doctors said would take her life before age 12. She never gave up and at age 28, was the oldest patient with that particular condition in the history of the University of Iowa Hospitals.

Mary also made medical history in September of 1979, becoming the first ever to undergo and survive corrective open heart surgery for that ailment. Her success opened many new doors for modern medicine and at odds of 60-40 percent against her making it, she had another two years of life, which her family and friends were very thankful for.

Mary's love of God, family and friends will never be forgotten and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary E. Slater were held on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1982 at 2 p.m. at the Church of the Open Bible in Eagle Grove. Dr. Lloyd W. Meyer, D.D. officiated and burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove. Visitation was held at the Kastler-Babcock Funeral Home on Tuesday.

September 5, 1953 – January 3, 1982