SKAAR, Gene Burdette 1926-2013

SKAAR, HAGEN

Posted By: COUNTY COORDINATOR
Date: 11/1/2013 at 16:32:51

Gene Skaar
(Died October 31, 2013)

U.S. Veteran

Gene Burdette Skaar, age 87, of Osage, died Thursday, October 31, 2013, at the Faith Lutheran Home in Osage.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 4, 2013, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage with Iowa Hospice Chaplain Patience Hewitt officiating. Following the memorial service, there will be a time for lunch and fellowship at the American Legion Hall in Osage. Inurnment will be at Prairie View Cemetery in Paullina, Iowa, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be directed to Faith Lutheran Home, 914 Davidson Drive, Osage, Iowa, or your favorite charity.

Gene Burdette Skaar was born March 23, 1926, near Gaza, Iowa, the son of Ben and Gladys (Hagen) Skaar. He spent his youth years in the Gaza area. From 1948 to 1950, Gene continued his education at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He then attended the University of Iowa from 1950 to 1953, graduating with his B.S. Degree in Pharmacy in 1953.

Gene served for two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict as a pharmacist in the 44th MASH Unit, Post 26, in Korea. Gene and Eleanor owned Skaar’s Pharmacy and Hallmark Shop in Osage from 1967 to 1985.

They lived in Mesa, Arizona from 1993 to 2011, where Gene continued to work as a relief pharmacist. In May of 2011, due to health issues, they returned to Osage, where Gene later became a resident of the Faith Lutheran Home. While in business, Gene was active in Kiwanis Club and the Osage Chamber of Commerce. He also served as secretary of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Council. Gene was an avid Hawkeye fan and enjoyed painting, carving and golf. He will be remembered for the special poems that he wrote for friends on various occasions.

Gene is survived by his wife, Eleanor Skaar of Osage; his sons, Daniel (Debra) Skaar of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and Mark Skaar of Murrieta, California; four granddaughters, Megan Skaar, and Jessica, Jacqueline and Justine Skaar; brother, Harlan (Sheryl) Skaar; and sister-in-law, Lois Skaar.

He was preceded in death by a beloved daughter, Peggy Jean (February 14-March 5, 1951); his parents; and a brother, Elroy Skaar.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage (641) 732-3706

Source: Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home website, 1 NOV 2013