Howard C Skjolaas

PLEASANT SPRINGS-Howard C. Skjolaas, age 81, of Pleasant Springs, passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born on Dec. 23, 1935, in the Town of Dunkirk, the son of Gunnar and Vera (Chidester) Skjolaas. Howard graduated from Stoughton High School in 1955. Following high school, he served in the Wisconsin National Guard from 1955-1960. On June 18, 1960, Howard married Carmen Haley. After high school, he worked for Western Electric until he started farming. Howard and Carmen purchased a farm in the Town of Pleasant Springs in March of 1962, where he raised dairy cattle, grain crops and tobacco. He was proud to be a farmer until retiring in 2014. Howard also enjoyed restoring old tractors, watching the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball. For 26 years, he loved spending time at his cabin on Lake Puckaway in Montello, boating, fishing and conversing with anybody who stopped by for a visit. He is survived by his wife, Carmen Skjolaas; daughters, Shanon (Randy) Johnson of Viroqua and Cheryl Skjolaas of Stoughton; granddaughters, Siri (Justin) Wedwick, Kari (Brad) Ederer and Kia Johnson; brothers, Merle (Ginny) and Russell (Karol) Skjolaas; sisters, Mildred (John) Andorfer, Jean (Richard) Perez and Selma (Gerald) Leaf; many nieces and nephews; as well as, cousins in Norway; and special companion, Bearsley. Howard was preceded in death by his son, Eric; parents; sisters, Ruth Skjolaas and Bonnie (Wayne) Bostrack. A Funeral Service will be held at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 310 E. Washington St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Burial will follow at Lutheran South Cemetery. Following burial, at 1 p.m., everyone is invited to a luncheon celebrating Howard's life at NORA'S, 1843 Hwy. 12 & 18, Deerfield. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 1358 Hwy. 51N at Jackson St., Stoughton, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church or the Stoughton Jr. Fair. Howard was not one to dress up. To honor his desire to wear work clothes for every occasion, country funeral attire is requested – jeans are appropriate and no ties are required. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Stoughton Funeral & Cremation Care 1358 Hwy. 51N at Jackson St. (608)873-4590