Reuben Julius Skadsem

Reuben J. Skadsem, 92 of Devils Lake, ND died Monday evening, January 11, 2010 at the Heartland Care Center in the loving care of his family and Mercy Hospice. Funeral Services for Reuben will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Devil s Lake. Rev. Rafe Allison will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery in the spring. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Thursday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Honorary Bearers will be Reuben’s Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren. Music will be provided by Reuben’s great niece, Wendy Blazejewski and great nephew, Craig Swenson and JoDee Lagein, pianist. Reuben Julius, one of 13 children born to Ole and Sophie (Blismond) Skadsem was born June 26, 1917 at rural Newfolden, Minnesota where he was reared and educated in a country school. His father died when Reuben was young and Reuben was fortunate enough to have a wonderful step father, Kettle Nelson in his life. Reuben was united in marriage to Delores Rosemond Olson on January 10, 1943 at Newfolden and they were truly blessed to have 67 years of marriage. After their marriage, they established their home in Newfolden and then in 1949 moved to Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family. Reuben worked various jobs including work at the Devils Lake PV Elevator, farming and road construction. Reuben will be remembered fondly as someone who loved his family and teasing his grandchildren. He loved his animals on the farm, especially his horses. He was good at fixing small engines and enjoyed repairing lawn mowers. Reuben was especially happy when the whole family would get together, play guitars, piano or accordion and sing. Reuben is survived by his loving family; his wife, Delores; his nine children and their spouses, Ray and Kim Skadsem of Devils Lake, Lyle Skadsem of Maddock, Roger and Ann Skadsem of Doyon, David and Laurie Skadsem of Jamestown, Loren and Annie Skadsem of Binford, Sherry and John Uhlenkamp of Rugby, Merlin and Patty Skadsem of Devils Lake, Dianne Bachmeier of Rugby and Lori and Greg Urbach of Lisbon; Twenty Grandchildren, Thirty-Nine Great Grandchildren and Three Great Great Grandchildren; Sister-In-Law, Lucille Skadsem of Newfolden and Brother-In-Law, Donald (Marge) Olson of Balta, ND; Numerous nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Reuben was preceded in death by his parents; a great grandchild; three brothers; seven sisters and two half-sisters.