- Date Of Birth: February 21, 1939
- Date Of Death: December 15, 2021
- State: Illinois
Leonard Sluis, age 82, of Grant Park, IL, originally of Evergreen Park, IL passed away peacefully on December 15, 2021, while being held in the arms of his steadfast daughter Linda, in her home. He was born on February 21, 1939 to Richard and Mary (Sluiter). Len, a faithful Christian, is now living his eternal life with his Creator, Lord, and Savior, free from all his pain and suffering.
Devoted husband to the late Joyce (Aardema), who passed away just 11 days prior. Loving father to Linda (Don) Rapacki, Kevin (Alicia) Sluis, Ted (Jennifer) Sluis, and Joel (Abbie) Sluis. Caring Grandfather to 14 Grandchildren and softhearted Great-Grandfather to 3 Great-Grandchildren.
Len, the last surviving child of 12, was preceded in death by 9 brothers and 2 sisters. He was affectionately known to friends and family simply as “Lenny”.
After graduating from Chicago Christian High School, Len proudly served in the United States Coast Guard. He later attended trade school and became an extremely skilled carpenter. Len worked for a few general contractors building single family homes, townhomes, and entire subdivisions all over the Chicagoland area. Later in his career, he started his own construction company – Sluis Builders
His unparalleled skill earned him the nickname “da Vinci” with the way he would artistically transform a stack of pine boards into architectural structures, built with unmatched precision. Like a true artist, he would sign his name using a circular saw on the last rafter he put into place. A hard worker, Len would sometimes sweat through several shirts per day, leaving behind salt rings once they dried. Strangely, it’s a fond memory of him for his family. He was rarely seen without wearing his red bandana as a sweatband. When not worn, it hung from the rearview mirror, as if being displayed to exemplify a hard day’s work.
One word that comes to mind to describe Len is persevering: “used to describe one who continues to do or try to achieve something despite difficulty or discouragement.” Len worked tirelessly to provide for his family, no matter the cost, and rarely uttered a single complaint. He lived by basic common-sense principles – work hard, and do good work. Whether it was building a house, keeping the lawn weed free, or his meticulously pruned rose bushes, he took pride in everything he did, and it is reflected in his children.
Emulating the staple vow, “For Better or For Worse”, Len was a loving, patient husband who dedicated himself to 61 years of marriage to his late wife, Joyce. Len had an unbreakable, but unspoken love for his wife and children, and routinely used actions, rather than words to show his love and pride, and to teach life’s lessons. However, when you needed to hear it, he did not mince words, and humorously used an inoffensive bluntness to make his point.
In his free time, Len enjoyed grilling, and could dish out delectable meats that could rival the best sous chefs anywhere. He was fond of watching professional billiards and bowling, as well as old western movies and sitcoms like Gunsmoke and anything with John Wayne. This earned him even a 3rd nickname – Duke. Len was an excellent billiards player and competed in leagues.
Sometimes, he even let his children beat him. Len was also an avid bowler, and participated in bowling leagues as well. He took great pleasure in knowing his children all enjoyed watching him bowl, as they listened for the distinct “pop” of his thumb as he released the ball and executed a well-placed hook. In addition to these hobbies, Len took his passion for woodworking to his workshop, where he built countless pieces of carefully crafted furniture and elaborate birdhouses and bird feeders. But furry rodents be warned… Len had a disdain for squirrels. If one dared to steal from one of his backyard feeders, camouflaged by lilac bushes, he would use his pellet gun to snipe them from his workshop window.
Aside from being a hard worker, teacher of life’s hard lessons, and self-taught squirrel sniper, Len always knew how to have fun and be comical. Backyard volleyball games in the pool and silly dances were regular occurrences. Sometimes after supper, one would announce “fun fight!” and Len would playfully wrestle with his children on the floor. Inevitably, this would lead to being lifted up on the bottom of his feet while he was lying on his back.
On construction worksites, he was known to break out into song with his fellow workers, trading lines from popular tunes. Believed to be one of Len’s favorites was Bing Crosby’s “I’m an Old Cowhand from the Rio Grande”. Taking a line from the chorus of that song, “Oh, yippie yi yo kayah, yippie yi yo kayah” Len, who led a Godly life, can confidently sing that line, knowing he raised 4 amazing children. Leaving this world in the arms of his daughter Linda, Len can now fall safely into the arms of his Lord and Savior, the healer of all pain and suffering, joined once again with his loving wife Joyce, his parents, all of his brothers and sisters, and all the angels that are welcoming him. Well done, good and faithful one; You have run the race and now you’re home. Welcome to the place where you belong.
