George Henry Sleeper, 79, of Hartley and Lake Park, IA, went to meet his Heavenly Father on March 8th, 2008, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. George is the son of Frank and Gertie (Pater) Sleeper. He was born on May 6, 1928 in Little Rock, IA, and moved with his parents to Worthington, MN. He graduated from Worthington High School in 1946.

On November 24, 1949, George was united in marriage to Marie Aamoth in Iola, WI. Following their marriage the couple moved to Hartley where they raised five children: David, Sharon, Laurie, Mark and Paul. George opened up a cabinet shop soon after moving to Hartley. He became sheriff of O’Brien County in 1965, during which time they lived in Primghar. He then worked for O’Brien County Mutual in Hartley, as an adjuster, until his retirement in 1992. Following the tragic death of their daughter Sharon, George and Marie raised their granddaughters Sarah and Lydia Brawner. Marie died of cancer in November of 1990. George married Sheryl Martinsen on June 2, 1996 at their cabin on Silver Lake.

George was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where he served as an elder and trustee. He was a member of the Great Lakes Antique Car Club, and served as chief of the Hartley Volunteer Fire Department for 21 years. He loved to hunt, fish, and spend time outdoors. He had a passion for restoring antique cars, and woodworking. His greatest love, however, was spending time at the cabin with his family and friends. His ability to share his life stories will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife Sheryl Sleeper of Hartley, IA; children: David Sleeper of Sedalia,CO, Laurie and Mark Davis of Algona, IA, Mark and Gretta Sleeper of Sealy,TX, and Paul and Angela Sleeper of Solon, IA; step-children: Ken and Kerri Martinsen of Odenton, MD, Josh and Dawn Martinsen of Akron, IA and Heather and Tracey Badar of Sioux City, IA; 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

George was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marie, his daughter, Sharon Brawner, and one sister, Francis Christensen.

A Celebration of Life

George Henry Sleeper

Born ~ May 6, 1928

Died ~ March 8, 2008

Age ~ 79 years 10 months 2 days

Funeral Service

1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2008

St. Paul’s Lutheran

Hartley, IA

Clergy ~ Rev. David Ericksen

Organist ~ Donna Ahlers

Congregational Singing

Processional ~ “How Great Thou Art” #519

“I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb” #517

“Abide With Me” #490

“Jesus, Name Above All Names”

Recessional ~ “Go Tell It on the Mountain” #504

Pallbearers

Chuck Schmidt Randy Paulsen Kevin Tewes

Duane Koplin Don Treimer

Byron Nieuwendorp Dan Shinkle Bill Treimer

Honorary Pallbearers

Lester Tewes Maynard Doeden Harlan Geerdes

Virgil Treimer Dick Duba Aaron Rust

Ushers

Marvin Erichsen Ed Harders Milo Peters Gordon Williamson

Flower attendants

Inez Dacken Lori Smith

Interment

Pleasant View Cemetery ~ Hartley, Iowa