Ellen Skaar

COTTAGE GROVE-Ellen S. Skaar, age 86, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at her home. She was born on Jan. 31, 1922, in Verona, the daughter of Herman and Anna Pollow. Ellen attended Cottage Grove High School for two years, where she met her future husband, Eugene Skaar. She graduated from Madison East High School in 1940. Ellen married Eugene Skaar on Nov. 29, 1942, at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. She farmed with her husband in Cottage Grove her entire married life. Ellen was a lifelong member of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed reading, was an avid Badgers fan and loved spending time with family. Ellen is survived by three children, Vicki (Otto) Kraus of Iowa City, Iowa, Larry (Mary) Skaar of Cottage Grove, and John (Anne) Skaar of Merrill; six grandchildren, Stacy (John) Bembinster, David Kraus, Nick and Matt Skaar, and Thomas and Courtney Skaar; three great-grandchildren, Joseph Kraus, William Bembinster, and Anna Bembinster; and sister-in-law, Charline Pollow. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; and a brother, Sheldon Pollow. Funeral services will be held at BRYN MAWR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 229 N. Main St., Cottage Grove, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, with the Rev. Thomas Ferguson presiding. Burial will be at Cottage Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Memorials may be made to Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church.