Khaled M. Slayhi

Khaled M. Slayhi

Age 82 of Stillwater

Passed away peacefully on February 19, 2024 with his daughters and nephews by his side.

Khaled was born in Beirut, Lebanon on September 10, 1941 in his parent’s home. Khaled was raised in Beirut and attended high school there.

Khaled went to trade school and learned to be a machinist. He graduated in 1964 at the age of 23 as an electromechanic technician. He worked for Electrical Company Lebanese Government Agency as a dispatcher for the utility network. Two years later, he accepted a position at the US Embassy in Lebanon to work in Yemen. The US AID (Agency of International Development), a division of the US State Department, was funding this project in Yemen. This is where Khaled met his wife-to-be, Clara. Clara and Khaled were married in Aden, Yemen on May 10, 1966. In 1966, the couple returned to the US and settled in Minnesota to start a life together. They raised two daughters in NE Minneapolis and eventually moved to Stillwater. While working full time, he attended college to receive his Masters in Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. At the same time, he was mastering English as his third language at the same time. He became a Naturalized Citizen on January 21, 1970. Khaled started as an Electrical Engineer at 3M on March 1, 1972. His roll at 3M evolved into becoming a Lead Electrical Engineer for multiple different countries that required extended travel (Germany, China, Singapore, India, Taiwan, Brazil, South Africa). Khaled was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater. He served others at Valley Outreach food shelf, car care, and funeral luncheons. Khaled was a major support system and safety net for his family back in Beirut, Lebanon. His money and his time crossed borders for his extended family. He was always there to assist others in need. Khaled was in Trinity’s men’s Bible study group for 30 years. Fishing was his fun and his meditation. He took fishing trips to Northern Canada and fishing on Gull Lake. Besides his own family, he helped many other immigrants settle in America.

Khaled is preceded in death by his wife, Clara; parents, Mohammad and Maryam Slayhi; siblings, Ahmad, Fatima, Mahmoud, and Abed El-Rahman.

He is survived by daughters, Mariam (Rich Fenton) Slayhi, Ida (Eric) Tessmer; granddaughters, Juna Slayhi Fenton and Emma Tessmer; sister, Wissal; nieces and nephews that resided with Khaled and Clara in the States, Dina, Mustufa, Mahmoud, Maamoun, Mohammad, and Tala; and many other nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service 11am Friday, March 1st at Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 N 4th St., Stillwater, with visitation beginning one hour prior. Interment at Rutherford Cemetery.