Skillings, James Leo 1950-2011

SKILLINGS, MALAND, THOM, KRUSE, NEUMANN, KORTUEM

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/1/2012 at 12:18:26

James “Jim” Skillings, age 61, of Decorah, IA, died on August 19, 2011 at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at the Decorah Lutheran Church, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Bryan Robertson presiding.

Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday at the Schluter - Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Wednesday morning.

Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Little Falls, MN.

In lieu of flowers, Jim suggests that memorials be given to the Decorah Athletic Booster Club, P.O. Box 293, Decorah, IA 52101 or the Waukon Athletic Booster Club, 1063 – 3rd Avenue N.W., Waukon, IA 52172.

James Leo Skillings was born on April 4, 1950, the son of Ernest and Mavis (Maland) Skillings in Bertha, MN. Jim graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1968. He served in the US Army in Vietnam from Nov. 1968 to June 1970. Jim married Barbara Thom on April 26, 1969, in Long Prairie, MN and Jim worked in the floor installation business. They moved to Decorah in Nov. 1972 and Jim worked for Watlow for six years. Jim also continued in the floor installation business for many years, retiring in 2009. Jim served in the Army Reserves for many years, and also served in the Iraq War. Jim was a volunteer firefighter for the Decorah Fire Dept. for twenty-five years and was active with the Decorah Kilties. Jim enjoyed fishing, watching his children and grandchildren participate in sporting events and his “Thirsty Thursday” nights with his friends.

Jim is survived by his four children: Troy (Dionne) Skillings, Glendale, AZ; Trent Skillings, Decorah, IA; Amy Skillings, San Diego, CA; and Jeanne Skillings (Michael Kruse), Ridgeway, IA. Seven grandchildren: Garrett & Darrian Skillings; Dalton Skillings; Jordan, Courtney, Kylie & Broden Skillings. His special friend: Barb Newhouse and her son, Maynard, Decorah, IA. Two sisters: LaDonna (Bob) Neumann, Champlin, MN, and LaNette (Brian) Kortuem, Eagle Bend, MN. Three brothers: Wayne (Sandy) Skillings, Osakis, MN; Dale (Mary) Skillings, Long Prairie, MN; and Kurt (Kirsten) Skillings, Freeport, MN, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Ernest & Mavis (Maland) Skillings. His wife: Barbara Skillings on July 21, 1995.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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