Deborah Kaye Slater

Deborah Kaye Slater, 63 of Gaylord, was called home to the Lord on April 27, 2023, after a two-year battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family and music when she passed away in Shelby Township.

Deborah was born on August 7, 1959, in Flint, Michigan where she spent her younger years. After high school, Deb took an interest in being a pharmacy technician, then worked at K-Mart and eventually worked her way up to a management position where she moved around Michigan for various opportunities with the company. When her daughter Kristina was born, she stayed home until Kristina was in grade school and then tried her hand at various positions from sales and marketing to event planning. Throughout her life, Deb lived in Burton, the Saginaw area, Canton, and ended up settling in Gaylord, Michigan in the mid 90’s.

Deb enjoyed the outdoors, playing words with friends, cooking, gardening, and crafts. More than anything, she cherished spending time with family, especially her two grandsons, Kellington (6) and George (3) whom she lovingly referred to as her “wildcats”. She was the happiest and most fulfilled when she was planning what dish she was going to bring to various family functions, whether it be with her brother Craig and sister-in-law, Kathy; one of her nieces; Becki, Angie and Megan, or her daughter, Kristina. She was famous for her quiche and her cheese rolls which she only shared the secret recipe with a selective lucky few.

Deborah is survived by her daughter, Kristina (Ryan) Graham of Shelby Township; her brother, Craig (Kathy) Freeman of Lovells; her grandchildren, Kellington and George; her nieces, Becki (Chris) Finton, Angie (Brett) Terrell, Megan (Justin) Sherman, and her great-nieces and nephews Caleb, Brooklyn, Blake, Reese, Mason, Ethan and Layla. She is preceded in death by her father, Neil Freeman and her late husband, Kurt Larson.

In lieu of flowers and per Deb’s wishes, donations may be made to the Cassie Hines Shoes Cancer Foundation (cassiehinesshoescancer.org), Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org), or to St. Jude’s (stjude.org).

A celebration of life will take place at 1:00 PM Monday, May 8, 2023, at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service, where the family will visit with friends beginning at 11:00 AM. Pastor Jim Mathis will officiate. A luncheon will follow at BJ’s Catering and Event Center.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.