Obituary: Ken M. Skillingstad

Memorial Service

Funeral services will take place on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 2:00 PM (Mountain).

Lurz Park
Wasta, South Dakota

Visitation

A visitation was held 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 16, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.

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In memory of

Ken M. Skillingstad

of Wasta, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the Kadoka Nursing Home at the age of 79

Ken M. Skillingstad was born December 23, 1941, in Mobridge, South Dakota, the oldest of three children born to Kenneth and Adelaide (LaPlante) Skillingstad. He grew up in Mobridge and received his education a rural school in the area, where his mother was his teacher. At the age of 14 he went to work for a local rancher. He later worked on the construction of the interstate, and moved to Mitchell, South Dakota.

He was united in marriage to Connie Wilson and they made their home in Mitchell. To this union were born four children Kim, Kyle, Karla and Kenna. Ken worked primarily at UBC during his time in Mitchell.

Ken later met Danene Glade. They moved out west to Wasta to help run Danene’s parents’ cafe. They were married August 1, 1980, in Wasta, South Dakota. Ken and Danene later worked numerous years for the Cactus Café and Lounge in Wall. In 1999, Ken began working for RN Construction as a superintendant, primarily remodeling Wal-Marts all over the United States, a position he held until retiring in 2007. After retirement, he kept just as busy remodeling their own house, along with helping neighbors and friends whenever needed. This lead to Ken receiving the “Good Neighbor Award” from the Catalyst Club in 2019.

Ken remained in Wasta until recently when he moved into the Kadoka Nursing Home, where he has since resided.

Survivors include his wife Danene of Wasta; four children: Kim Meader (Mark) of Peoria, Arizona, Kyle Skillingstad (Dorreen) of Wasta, Karla Lehnus (Kirk) of Sun City, Arizona, and Kenna Warren (Amy) of Lennox, South Dakota; three step-sons: Gary Vernon (Cody) of Quinn, Greg Vernon of Peoria, Arizona, and Dana Vernon of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; nine grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister Betty Koehn (Jim) of Stanley, North Dakota; one brother Gene Skillingstad of Georgia; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents.

A visitation was held 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 16, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 pm on Friday, June 4, 2021, at the Lurz Park in Wasta.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 57 Wasta, SD 57791.

VISITATION
Friday, April 16, 2021
5-7 p.m.
Rush Funeral Chapel
Wall, South Dakota

MEMORIAL SERVICE
Friday, June 4, 2021 - 2:00 p.m.
Lurz Park
Wasta, South Dakota

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One of my all time favorite person to work with... he will be missed. ~ Sure Cuppy Mitchell (4/20/2021)
One of my all time favorite person to work with... he will be missed. ~ Sure Cuppy Mitchell (4/20/2021)
Danene So sorry to hear of your loss. I remember taking care of your boys and working with Dana at Wall Drug. May God be with you during these hard times. Always remember the good memories. ~ Ester Johannesen Wall, SD (4/20/2021)
I'm so very sorry for loss Danena prayers sending your way. Ken was a great guy ~ Patsy Besson Wall (4/17/2021)
Ken always had a smile. I enjoyed his since of humor. Just a good person all around. Thinking of the family. ~ Rose Luedeman Wall (4/15/2021)
I love you dad. Rest In Peace. ~ Kim Meader Peoria, AZ (4/15/2021)
Ken will be missed by many, I would like to thank you for being a father figure showing me I didn't have to be rude all the time. He had a heart of gold and well thank you for giving a dumb kid a chance. ~ David Pavao Gloucester, Virginia. (4/15/2021)
Danene and family
Kenny will be truly missed around the communities of Wasta and Wall with his carpenter skills. Will always remember his gift of friendship where ever he was. God Bless You all. RIP my friend. Will see you later. ~ Van & Cathy Simpfenderfer Wall, SD (4/15/2021)
We are sorry to hear of Ken's passing our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family ~ Tom and Jackie Shull Wasta SD (4/15/2021)
We are so sorry for your loss. Keeping you in our Prayers. ~ Oliver & Gayle Carson Quinn,SD (4/15/2021)
prayers for your family I always liked Ken he was a good coworker to have as a friend ~ Joann Stark IA (4/14/2021)
My sympathy at Ken's passing. I have many fond memories of you two during the years at the Cactus. NO ONE could make a Chicken Fried Steak like Ken - I try but its just not the same. ~ Lea Willuweit Ymker Armour SD (4/14/2021)
Danone,
My Deepest Sympathy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts. I will always remember working with Kenny at the Cactus. He was such a nice guy. ~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff Sturgis, SD (4/14/2021)
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Ken. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Danene and all the Skillingstad family. ~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (4/14/2021)