Oscar Slinde

Oscar George Slinde, husband, father, grandpa, and friend, died on Friday, February 14th, 2025 in Missoula, MT. Oscar passed away late in the evening on Valentine’s Day, just in time to meet his wife on their next journey together. Oscar was born in Stanton, North Dakota and spent most of his life in Washington State with his wife Terry, and daughter Ann. Oscar is survived by daughter Ann Schwab, son-in-law Randy, and his two grandchildren, Natalie and Daniel (Jennifer) Schwab.

Born on March 18th, 1936, of Oscar and Hildred Slinde, Oscar was one of seven children; Steve Slinde, Mildred Eddy, Lois Slinde, Bernice Boober, Elayne Piatz, and Alice Reinholt, who have all since passed. Following the Great Depression and many fulfilling years of playing basketball, Oscar joined the Marine Corps and was enlisted for 4 years. This enlistment would allow him to meet his wife, Terry, at a Marine Corps dance in Minneapolis in 1958.

Oscar and Terry married on the 18th of June, 1959 and were together for over 60 years. They moved to Everett, Washington and then built their first house in Marysville, where they would raise their beautiful daughter Ann Marie. After working as a brick mason, Oscar completed his accounting degree at Seattle University (Go Chieftans!). Oscar went on to be an accountant for the three major boat builders in Snohomish County, WA. Oscar was also proud to have worked in Alaska with ANICA Inc to supply small native villages with store goods, access to accounting services, and independence. After many years of raising a child and making life happen, Oscar and Terry were finally able to open The Wishing Tree restaurant in Carlton, Washington. They would serve friends, families, and locals delicious food for ten years before they would sell the restaurant and become true empty nesters and snowbirds.

The happy couple bought their RV and never looked back. Oscar and Terry spent the second half of their lives as snow-birds, traveling to catch the lush green warmth from the northern states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, to the temperate desert winters of the southern states of Nevada and Arizona. They would put an audiobook cassette in the player and peacefully drive, spending hours looking at the scenery while they snacked on macadamia nuts they bought in Hawaii on their annual trip with their daughter, Ann.

Oscar was a lifetime member of Moose Lodge and the VFW. He loved watching basketball and cheering on Gonzaga and SU. He loved fishing and crabbing with his friends and family on Lopez Island. He loved taking his grandkids crabbing at Fidalgo Bay and teaching them how to play card games. He loved being on or near water as much as possible. He was a proud husband, father, and grandpa, and brought nothing but ease and joy to the lives of those around him. He can be best remembered as sitting in a chair in the evening next to Terry, sharing few words but a soft smile as the sun goes down on the water.

Oscar died at the age of 88 after the death of his wife and a battle with dementia. He will be greatly missed by his daughter, family, and friends. A special thank you to his wonderful caregivers, Zoe and Ellana. Edgewood Memory Care in Missoula who treated Oscar with the utmost care and respect in his last months – thank you. And to his lifetime friend Lee Suess, your weekly letters and messages were a blessing to Oscar. A private family ceremony will be held in Montana.