Eileen K. Sleeman
Eileen K. Sleeman, 90, of Virginia, died Monday, October 4, 2010 at Edgewood Vista Senior Living, in Virginia.
Eileen was born June 27, 1920 in Dayton, MN, to Henry and Maude (Rice) Blais. She grew up and attended schools in Elk River; graduating from Elk River High School in 1938. On October 3, 1943 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Sleeman in Gulfport, Mississippi. The couple resided in Mississippi and California before making their home in Virginia, MN, and later wintering in Florida.
Eileen was employed as a telephone operator for 33 years, working at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Elk River and US West in Virginia, until her retirement in 1978. She was a longtime member of United Methodist Church of Virginia and the United Methodist Women's Society (Rebecca Circle), Telephone Pioneers of America, and the Lake 14 Club. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, taking Sunday drives to the cabin with friends and wintering in Florida.
Eileen is survived by her daughter-in-law, Patricia Sleeman, of Virginia; three grandchildren, Troy Sleeman, Heather (Gene Flaim) Gulbranson, both of Virginia, and Brad (Diane) Sleeman, of Maplewood, MN; four loving great-grandchildren, Branden and Ellie Gulbranson and Paul and Abigail Sleeman, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth in 2004, son Paul in 1996, and four brothers, Vernon, Melvin, Merlin, and Ellery Blais.
Eileen’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Edgewood Vista for their care and compassion these last two years, and also thank St. Mary’s Hospice for their care.
Memorial Service will be 11 a.m.Saturday at United Methodist Church in Virginia, with Pastor Brenda King officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m.until the 11 a.m.service. Private inurnment will be at a later date.
