ohn E. "Gene" Slattery

1933 - 2023

John E. "Gene" Slattery, 90, of Paxton, died on Aug. 25, 2023, at Hill Top Estate in Gothenburg. Gene was born on March 26, 1933, to John and Margaret (Hassenstab) Slattery in Julesburg, Colorado. He graduated from St. Patrick High School in North Platte. Gene married Anne Schmidt on June 28, 1958, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Julesburg. To this union, three children were born. The couple resided on their family farm north of Roscoe for 64 years. During this time, Gene worked diligently to farm his land. He also enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard in the fall of 1959. During his pre-teen and teen years, Gene was known as "the kid who sold his shirt for the North Platte Canteen in the World War II years." The story begins with the sale of two goats that destroyed his mother's cherry trees. When asked what he was going to do with the ten dollars he received, he announced he was going to give it to the Canteen in North Platte in honor of his sister Evelyn, who was in the WAVES in California. This sparked an idea in the crowd and they asked what else he could give to the Canteen. He replied, "All I have is the shirt on my back." This sparked an idea that lasted for the next six years. He earned money from auctions and special events in the tri-state area and gave the proceeds to the Canteen. Gene earned thousands of dollars for the Canteen and became nationally and internationally known for his efforts. Gene was a man of few words, but always eager to learn more about his passion, which was "the farm." He was a man of faith, a man dedicated to his family and a man who always went out of his way to be courteous and kind to others. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Larry; sisters, Evelyn Kleinow and Helen Slattery; and nephews, Scott Slattery and Kenneth Grasz. He is survived by his sons, Dr. Michael (Gale) Slattery of Indianola and David (Toni) Slattery of North Platte; his daughter, Johnna (Michael) Arensdorf of North Platte; his grandchildren, Michael (Chelsie) Slattery of Indianola, James Slattery of Gordon, Emily Slattery of Lincoln, Amanda (Will) Slattery Engell of McCook, Jordan (Ariane) Arensdorf of Kearney, Jared (Mandy) Arensdorf of Lincoln, Kari Slattery of Columbus, and Katie, Jessica and Julie Slattery of Lincoln; nieces, Joyce Kohler of North Platte, Helen Hackney of McCook and Shannon Slattery of California; nephew, Dick Grasz of East Sandusky, Ohio; sister-in-law, Mary Slattery of California; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials are suggested to St. Luke Catholic School in Ogallala or the North Platte Catholic Schools Scholarship Fund. Rosary is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, at St. Luke Catholic Church, Ogallala, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. with Father Bryan Ernest officiating. Interment follows at the Ogallala Cemetery. Service will be livestreamed at drauckerfh.com. Visitation is from 2-5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at Draucker Funeral Home Chapel, Ogallala.