Sletmoen, Russell Charles' Obituary
Russell “Russ” Sletmoen, lovingly known as “Popi” to his family and “R.C.” to many, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, at the age of 92 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
He was born on March 16, 1933, in Audubon, Minnesota to Orville and Alpha Sletmoen and was the oldest of six children. Russ was a man of strength, service, and steadfast love. He lived a life marked by deep faith, hard work, and a legacy of making others feel valued and seen. To know him was to know generosity, humor, and quiet wisdom.
Russ served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 to 1957. In 1958, he began working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, where he served until 1964. He then joined the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Investigation, where he served with distinction until retiring in 1980—aside from a brief assignment as a Special Agent of the Foreign Service with the U.S. Department of State in 1968–1969. He then served as a Lieutenant supervising the Insurance Fraud Section in, Minnesota, then completed his career with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, where he worked for 15 years before retiring in 1998.
Titles never defined Russ. He will be remembered for his remarkable attention to detail, his quiet charm, and the warmth he brought into every room. Whether welcoming a guest with a seat and a story or offering a helping hand without being asked, Russ made people feel valued. He found joy in simple routines—and loved working with his hands. He had a quick wit, a natural gift for storytelling, and a lifelong appreciation for music and dancing.
He was also a devout Lutheran, whose quiet faith guided the way he lived and loved. Russ had a deep love for the Lord—a steady, personal devotion that shaped his values, his kindness, and the way he treated others. His faith was not loud, but it was unwavering, present in both his words and his actions.
Russ was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marcia “Nani” Sletmoen, with whom he shared a lifelong love story, as well as his brothers Doug Sletmoen and James “Butch” Mott. He is survived by his daughter, Cindee Bergren; grandchildren, Ashlee Bivins and Terry Bergren-Boom; and great-grandchildren, Braydin Bivins, Jaylee Bivins, and Liam Boom, his adopted daughter, Leslie Eichhorn.
In recent years, Russ discovered he had another daughter, Barbara “Barb” Charest. She was born several years before he met and married Marcia and began their life together. While their relationship was new, her presence added a meaningful chapter to his story.
He is also survived by his siblings Gene Sletmoen, Rick Sletmoen, Sherry Larson, Debra Nelson, and brother by choice, Don Ecker (lifelong best friend).
A public viewing will be held on Monday, May 26, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home, 6500 S 129th E Ave, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
A celebration of Russ’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 27 at 12:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5750 S Elm Pl, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Floral Haven Cemetery, 6500 S 129th E Ave, with a luncheon to follow at the Floral Haven Family Center.
Russ showed us how to live with intention, how to love without hesitation, and how to leave people better than we found them. His legacy will live on through the stories we share, the values he instilled, and the quiet strength he passed down through generations. He will be deeply missed, forever loved and always remembered.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Suncrest Hospice of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in honor of Russ's life of service and compassion.
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