John Kenneth Skaro, 91, long-time Hoople resident, passed away peacefully Tuesday February 14, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Center in Park River. Memorial service will be held Friday, February 17, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier. Visitation will be held for one hour before the time of the service at the funeral home. An inurnment will be later this summer at the Vidalin Lutheran Church, rural Hensel. Any memorials should be directed to Hoople Ambulance Service
John was born on August 1, 1931, near Elfros, Saskatchewan to Emily Horgdal Skaro and Oscar Skaro. The family moved to the Hensel area and then to a farm outside Hoople when John was in fourth grade. John graduated from Hoople High School in 1950 and went on to graduate with a teaching degree from Moorhead College in 1958.
John married Lois Neilson of Hoople on July 4th, 1954. They had two children, Toni and Tom, while living in Arthur and eventually back on the farm near Hoople. They divorced in 1972. John later married Louise Ross in July 1975, moving to Cavalier at that time. They had a daughter, Kris. John and Louise later divorced but remained close friends through the years.
John spent a few years farming before returning to his calling of teaching and coaching. He worked in schools in Arthur, Hoople and Cavalier, teaching history and current events while coaching most every sport. He was an avid Twins and Vikings fan, and always loved class B and NCAA basketball.
John was a proud grandpa and loved bragging about his six grandchildren. He was also excited to become a great-grandfather, decorating his room with family pictures. He liked to talk about his Icelandic heritage, and thoroughly enjoyed teasing and joking with people around him.
John was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Fred and Alfreda Shrader, first wife, Lois Neilson Olson. He will be missed by his children: Toni (Richard) Powell; Tom (Barb) Skaro; and Kris (Jason) Specht; ex-wife Louise Ross, six grandchildren: Anna, Matthew, Abby, Zachary, Sydney and Oscar; One great granddaughter, Penelope. The family extends a special thanks to the caring staff at Good Samaritan in Park River.
John was born on August 1, 1931, near Elfros, Saskatchewan to Emily Horgdal Skaro and Oscar Skaro. The family moved to the Hensel area and then to a farm outside Hoople when John was in fourth grade. John graduated from Hoople High School in 1950 and went on to graduate with a teaching degree from Moorhead College in 1958.
John married Lois Neilson of Hoople on July 4th, 1954. They had two children, Toni and Tom, while living in Arthur and eventually back on the farm near Hoople. They divorced in 1972. John later married Louise Ross in July 1975, moving to Cavalier at that time. They had a daughter, Kris. John and Louise later divorced but remained close friends through the years.
John spent a few years farming before returning to his calling of teaching and coaching. He worked in schools in Arthur, Hoople and Cavalier, teaching history and current events while coaching most every sport. He was an avid Twins and Vikings fan, and always loved class B and NCAA basketball.
John was a proud grandpa and loved bragging about his six grandchildren. He was also excited to become a great-grandfather, decorating his room with family pictures. He liked to talk about his Icelandic heritage, and thoroughly enjoyed teasing and joking with people around him.
John was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Fred and Alfreda Shrader, first wife, Lois Neilson Olson. He will be missed by his children: Toni (Richard) Powell; Tom (Barb) Skaro; and Kris (Jason) Specht; ex-wife Louise Ross, six grandchildren: Anna, Matthew, Abby, Zachary, Sydney and Oscar; One great granddaughter, Penelope. The family extends a special thanks to the caring staff at Good Samaritan in Park River.