Gordon H. Skaar,  85, of Rugby, ND, formerly of York, died Tuesday May 17, 2011 under the care of Altru Hospice at Valley Memorial Home in Grand Forks, ND.  There will be a Prayer Service,  2:00 PM Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the Nelson Funeral Home Chapel in Leeds.  Burial will be Monday, May 23, 2011  2:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.  Visitation will be Saturday from noon until the time of service.   Casket bearers will be his son-in-laws:  Gary Johnson,  Jeff Lipsky & Jeff Shaffner:  grandchildren:  Blaine Johnson,  Kari Johnson,  Joshua Shaffner,  Jerrod Shaffner, Bohdey Stenseth;  special friends:  Ernest Stave and Norval Johnson and members of the Sidney Britsch American Legion Post #268 of York.  Taps will be played by his grandson:  Blaine Johnson.  Music will be from Nancy Silliman, soloist with Dorothy Stuberg, organist.  The Nelson Funeral Home of Leeds is in charge of the arrangements.

Gordon Helmer Skaar was born October 14, 1925 to Helmer and Edna (Hooker) Skaar at York, ND.  He attended grade school and high school in York, graduating in 1943.  Gordon served in World War II as a sergeant in the Army from 1945 to 1946.  He returned to North Dakota and attended Wahpeton State School for a year before joining his father on the family farm.  On September 10th, 1954, he married Nettie "Peggy" Moe at Churchs Ferry, ND.  The couple lived on the family farm in Hurricane Lake Township near York until retiring to Rugby in 1989.  They were married 49 years before Peggy's death on April 26, 2003.

He was most happy doing all kinds of farm work, hunting water fowl and in later years tending flowers and shrubs or watching the Minnesota Twins.  Gordon was a member of the Hurricane Lake Lutheran Church and a charter member of the Sidney Britsch American Legion Post #268 of York.  He served on the Pierce County Water Board,  Good Samaritan Hospital Board in Rugby and the Hurricane Lake Lutheran Church cemetery board.

Surviving are his five children:  Deb (Gary) Johnson of Grand Forks,  Kristy Skaar (Jeff Lipsky)  of Vail, AZ,  Amy (Jeff) Shaffner of Santa Maria, CA,  Riley Skaar in Indiana and Neil Skaar of Rugby;  a daughter-in-law:  Maren Stenseth Ehley of Linton, ND;  5 grandchildren:  Blaine & Julitta Johnson of Waseca, MN,  Kari Johnson of Avondale, AZ,  Joshua Shaffner of Flagstaff, AZ,  Jerrod Shaffner of Santa Maria, CA and Bohdey Stenseth of Linton, ND;  2 great-grandchildren:  Isaiah and Keira Johnson of Waseca, MN and his best four-legged friend:  Buster.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Peggy.

Memorials are requested to be sent to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery,  1825 46th St. in Mandan, ND  58554-7925



Condolences:

Kristy,be brave, my prayers are with you and your family at this time of grief! Take care. Renada Rutti



We we're deeply saddened to hear of Gordon's passing. Our thoughts are with you. Love, Donald, Kelley and Jesse Brown



We were sorry to hear about the loss of Gordon. We have fond memories of Gordon and Peggy visiting at the farm when we were young. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. With deepest sympathy, The Skaars from Tioga



Skaar Family,  I am sorry to hear fo Gordon's passing.  I have very fond memories of trips to the Skaar farm North of York during my high school days.     Peggy & Gordon,   As you look down from above, whenever we were late getting home from Cando, Leeds, Rugby, etc. it was always Kristy's fault!!!   My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Randy Ritterman



Heartfelt sympathy from Berniece to the Skaar family; Berniece has many fond memories from the hurricane lake area and the Skaar family; i remember going to sunday school with the girls--amy was that you that worked on 5th floor at trinity with me?  so sorry about your dad. berniece ostdahl/sharon gifford



I want to express my sympathy to the Skaar family at the news of the death of your dad and grandfather.  I graduated with Amy and remember Gordon and Peggy at their prime of life.  Wouldn't we love to go back in time and sit around the kitchen table and hear the farm talk and eat some homemade buns and brownies?! Would love to see you at the all school reunion, Amy.  I suppose you won't be able to go back again now.  Take care. - Suzanne (Solberg) Walford