Kenneth "Ken" Sletvold, 81, finished the last chapter of his life and died peacefully at home on January 20, 2023, surrounded by his devoted family. Ken and his wife Frances (Schleifer) recently celebrated 60 years of loving marriage.

Born on May 2, 1941 in Trenton, NJ, he was the son of the late Elnar and M. Elizabeth (Bolt) Sletvold. Ken graduated from Emmaus High School in 1959 and thereafter served his country in the United States Army. Upon his honorable discharge, he obtained an associates degree from Penn State, a bachelor of science degree from Kutztown University, and a master's degree in education from Lehigh University. For 30 years, Ken was a physics teacher at Emmaus High School. His students fondly recall his field trips to Great Adventure theme park in New Jersey where he taught them about speed and gravity while riding roller coasters, as well as "The Sletvold Challenge" where teams of students were challenged to employ principles of physics in a race to the local minimart to see which team could return fastest with his beloved diet soda. Ken was rarely seen without his giant Big Gulp mug full of soda.

Ken married his high school sweetheart, Fran, and together they resided in Allentown and raised a family. Upon his retirement from teaching, Ken continued a life of service. He and Fran purchased a motor home in which they traveled all over the country and Canada building houses for Habitat for Humanity Care-A-Vanners. They were part of the SOWER Ministry (Servants on Wheels Ever Ready), providing volunteer help to non-profit Christian ministries. They traveled to Japan on two separate trips to build churches. Eventually, he and Fran became "snowbirds", spending six months of the year in Arcadia, Florida. They also raised and trained puppies that later went into service as seeing eye dogs for the blind. When at home, Ken enjoyed puttering in his shed/workshop, carving, quilting, and spending time with his grandchildren. Ken was a talented craftsman and builder. He built an addition onto the family home himself, and taught his children the art of do-it-yourself projects.
Ken is survived by his four children: Robert Sletvold (Jennifer) of Bethlehem, PA, Kathryn Bluder of Bethlehem, PA, Matthew Sletvold of Yuma, AZ and Jennifer Wellington (Marshall) of Plymouth, NC. He was a devoted father. When his first son was born, he and Fran traveled in a snowstorm from Allentown to Philadelphia to the only hospital at the time that was permitting fathers to be present in the delivery room. Ken later wrote an editorial to several newspapers advocating for change in hospital policies so fathers could be present for the birth of their children. His children all fondly recall the summer when the family took a cross country road trip for six weeks in a van seeing amazing sites, camping and having adventures. In addition to his children, he is survived by his siblings, brother, Gene Sletvold (Elaine) of East Edison, NJ, sisters, Barbara Snyder (Gerald) of Emmaus, PA, grandchildren, Christopher Sletvold, Nathaniel Sletvold, Lindsey James, Mackenzie Brezak, Samantha Brezak and Jamod Sletvold. He was predeceased by a sister, Doris Pillsbury. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Ken's legacy of service continues in death as he long ago decided to donate his body to science to further the education of medical students. Ken's family would like to especially thank Oasis/Palliative Care, Lehigh Valley Hospice and all of their friends at The Terrace at Phoebe Allentown for their help, support and love throughout his struggles with Parkinson's Disease. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ken's name to an organization that breeds and trains seeing eye dogs, The Seeing Eye, P.O. Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963-0375. Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus is handling arrangements.