Howard E. Skaar

Howard Skaar passed away on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake in the loving care of his family. He was 79.

Funeral Services for Howard will be held on Wednesday, Nay 30, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church, Starkweather, ND with Reverend Robert Buechler officiating.  Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday, May 29th (today) from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a time of prayer and remembrance at 6:30 p.m  Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Howard Earl, son of Frithjof and Hazel (Severeid) Skaar, was born on April 28^th, 1939 in Devils Lake, ND.  Howard was raised on the family farm.  He attended school in Hampden, graduating in 1957, then briefly attended Wahpeton State School of Science.

When Frithjof’s health declined, Howard took over the family farm at a young age, planting his first crop at age 16.  He continued farming until his retirement in 2000.  In addition to farming, Howard spent a winter in California working at General Motors. 

On June 27^th, 1970, Howard and Clarrine Martinson were married at Faith Lutheran Church in Hampden.  They had three children together - Jason, Jeffrey, and Johanna.

Howard was very involved in the community.  He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Hampden Senior Citizens Center, and the Commercial Club. He served on the Hampden Oil and Elevator Boards, and as mayor of Hampden for a time.  He was also active in the Prairie Winds & Pioneer Power Association.

Later in life, Howard loved to travel, oftentimes accompanied by his dear friend Mary Jane Bede.  He traveled extensively throughout the United States, and especially loved visiting New York City.  His trips abroad took him to Norway, Russia, Germany, France, Greece, and Italy.  He enjoyed visits with family and friends, following politics, forwarding political emails, and watching Fox News and 60 Minutes. He was an avid reader on many subjects, particularly politics and history.

Howard’s Loving Family include his children: Jason Skaar and wife Danielle (Erickstad) of Hampden, ND, Jeff Skaar and wife Deanna (Laturnus) of Thief River Falls, MN and Johanna (Skaar) and husband Ian Sannes of Aurora, CO; grandchildren Jackson, Anna, Elin, and Thomas (Jason & Danielle), Austin, Avery, and Spencer (Jeff & Deanna), Piper and Serena (Johanna and Ian); sisters Margaret and husband Gordy Sather and Norma Skaar.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hazel and Frithjof.

Howard’s family extends a special thank you to those who cared for him at Eventide Heartland Courts Assisted Living, Eventide Heartland Nursing Care, Mercy Hospital all in Devils Lake, and at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. 

Serving as Casket Bearers will be Mark Sather, Winston Johnson Jr., Lee Werner, John Sletteland, Austin Skaar and Jackson Skaar. Music will be provided by Amy Swanson, Izzy Swanson and Lunden Swanson, vocalists and Mary Ann Devig, pianist.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in Howard’s name.