STOUGHTON - Carmen Haley Skjolaas, age 88, died on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Stoughton Hospital. She was born on May 19, 1937, in Dane, Wis., the daughter of Thomas and Hazel (Stueber) Haley.

She graduated from Stoughton High School in 1955. She was united in marriage to Howard Skjolaas on June 18, 1960. Carmen attended Wisconsin State College-Whitewater for teacher education. She taught at rural one-room schools, including Star, Rinden, and Liberty. When rural schools were closed, she taught at Deerfield Elementary. Carmen was always happy to visit with former students. When the farm expanded, she became a stay-at-home mom and farmed with Howard in the Towns of Pleasant Springs and Christiana.

Carmen believed in giving to her community. She continued her interest in education as the general leader of the Dashing Doers 4-H club. Having been involved in 4-H as a youth, she exhibited at the Dane County Fair, now the Stoughton Junior Fair. After 50 years of 4-H involvement, she retired from 4-H but continued her support of the Stoughton Junior Fair. Carmen had a strong interest in advocating for agriculture. She served on the Dane County Dairy Promotion Committee. The Skjolaas family hosted the Dane County Dairy Breakfast on the Farm in 1986. She represented agricultural interests through her work with the Town of Pleasant Springs Planning Commission and on USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee. Carmen served as an Election Clerk and Chief Inspection Officer for the Town of Pleasant Springs.

Carmen enjoyed mowing the lawn and tending to her flower gardens. Fall was her favorite season. She loved raising and selling pumpkins. Every third weekend of August, she’d get a truckload of mums for her fall display. For 34 summers, she spent time fishing and visiting with the neighbors at the lake house on Lake Puckaway.

Carmen is survived by her daughters, Shanon (Randy) Johnson and Cheryl Skjolaas; grandchildren, Siri (Joe) Monson, Kari (Bradley) Ederer and Kia (Zachery) Zitzner; great-grandchildren, Ruger and Haley Monson, Madisyn, Brianna and Theodore Ederer, and Peyton, Kayden, Karson and Kipp Zitzner; and in-laws, Mary Jean Haley, Mildred Andorfer, Merle and Ginny Skjolaas, Wayne Bostrack, Russell and Karol Skjolaas, and Selma and Gerald Leaf. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; parents, Thomas and Hazel; son, Eric; brother, Thomas J. Haley; and in-laws John Andorfer, Cora Jean and Richard Perez, and Velma (Bonnie) Bostrack.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1358 Highway 51 N. at Jackson St., Stoughton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Burial will follow at Lutheran South Cemetery. A luncheon will be provided. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Thanks to the staff of Edgerton Care Center, Agrace HospiceCare, Stoughton Hospital, and her special team of home caregivers.

Memorials may be made to the Stoughton Junior Fair, First Lutheran Church, Stoughton or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Stoughton

Funeral & Cremation Care

1358 Highway 51 N. @ Jackson St.

(608) 873-4590

Carmen Haley Skjolaas

May 19, 1937 - August 11, 2025

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