Ken Slager, a man of integrity who loved the Lord and the Christian Reformed Church, died Nov. 18 at the age of 95.
Ken grew up in Comstock, Mich. After high school he was drafted into World War II, serving with the United States Marine Corps as a military policeman in Guam, Okinawa, Guadalcanal, and afterwards, in China. Upon discharge from active service, he enrolled at Calvin College (now University), then Calvin Seminary.
After ordination in 1953, Ken served in Willmar (Minn.) CRC (now called Rock of Life CRC). He went on to pastor Lincoln Center CRC, Grundy Center, Iowa; Sibley (Iowa) CRC; Trinity, Vancouver, Wash.; and Monroe (Wash.) CRC (now called New Hope Fellowship). Upon retirement from active ministry in 1988, the Slagers moved back to his childhood home where he served as the visiting pastor at Second CRC of Kalamazoo. He also found great joy in serving as a chaplain of the Civil Air Patrol from 1971-2006 in Vancouver and Monroe, Wash., and in Kalamazoo.
Ken enjoyed listening to classical music, reading, crossword puzzles, sudoku, and keeping fit, running 5K and 10K races well into his 70s. He loved his big vegetable gardens. His seven children have fond memories of two-week summer vacations with all nine of them and camping gear packed into the family station wagon.
After moving in 2006 to Raybrook in Grand Rapids, Mich., the Slagers did a lot of volunteer work, made many new friends, and reconnected with former classmates and friends. He enjoyed the morning coffee hours and playing pool. He also joined the Singing Men from Raybrook, where he proudly wore his wedding suitcoat for performances.
Predeceased in 2018 by Alice, his wife for 68 years, Ken is survived by their seven children, 21 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
