Louise Mae (King) Rogers

Louise Mae (King) Rogers, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, age 94 (3 days short of 95), died on May 9, 2026, at Hearthside Assisted Living in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She was born on May 12, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan, to Leland and Alma (Lundwall) King, the oldest of four children. Louise spent her early childhood first in Detroit, then St. Ignace, Michigan, and eventually Sault Ste. Marie, where her father started the Superior Beverage Company. She enjoyed swimming, skating, dancing, and participating in plays. She graduated from Sault Area High School in 1950 and later attended Bay City Business College, where she earned a business diploma. In 1952, Louise began working as a secretary at Kincheloe Air Force Base in Kinross Township. There, she met her first husband, Staff Sergeant Robert Slayton, in 1954. Tragically, Robert drowned four years later when their son, Bob, was just 2½ years old. In the early 1960s, Louise’s work with the United States Air Force took her and her son Bob to a military base in Germany, where they lived for 18 months. After returning to Sault Ste. Marie, she worked as a secretary and receptionist for a local orthodontist. In 1975, she married her second husband, Joe Rogers, and the couple made their home in Rudyard, Michigan. In 1992, she was widowed for a second time. In 2002, she moved back to Sault Ste. Marie to be closer to family and friends. Louise had a strong faith and was an active member of Lutheran churches in both Rudyard and Sault Ste. Marie. Louise especially enjoyed studying the Bible and teaching Sunday school. Louise loved camping with friends during the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. She was witty, humorous, and truly enjoyed spending time socializing with family and friends. Louise is survived by her daughter, Deborah Ulrich of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was raised by adoptive parents, her late son’s partner, Aliana Knapp-Prasek of Levering, Michigan; sister-in-law, Sharon King of Sault Ste. Marie; brother-in-law, Donald Golanka of Sault Ste. Marie; as well as several nieces and nephews. Louise was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert J. Slayton and Joseph V. Rogers; son, Robert L. Slayton; parents, Leland and Alma King; sisters, Shirley King and Virginia “Tootsie” Golanka; brother, Robert King; and nephew, Peter King. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Hearthside Assisted Living for making it her home during the last five years of her life. Family Life Funeral Homes – Pickford assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.

Tributes

Louise Mae (King) Rogers

May 12, 1931 - May 9, 2026