Reuben Calvin Skordahl - Brookings

Jan. 17, 1924 - Dec. 31, 2019

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Reuben Calvin Skordahl

Brookings

Jan. 17, 1924 - Dec. 31, 2019

Reuben Calvin Skordahl, age 95, of Brookings, passed away Dec. 31, 2019, at home. 

Funeral services are at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Sinai Lutheran Church in Sinai with burial to follow at West Sinai Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitations will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Reuben was born Jan. 17, 1924, at Sinai, South Dakota, to Ole and Evelyn Borsvold Skordahl.  

He grew up in the Sinai area and was baptized and confirmed at Sinai Lutheran Church.  Reuben attended Sinai Public School and graduated in 1942.  He married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Doris Dahl, on Dec. 9, 1945, at Sinai Lutheran Church.  They were married for 63 years with Doris passing away in 2008.

Reuben farmed at Sinai for eight years before selling the farm and moving to a farm near Beresford. In 1954, the family moved back to Brookings.  Reuben went to work as a foreman for H.E. Mills Construction.  

He worked there for fifty years, retiring at the age of 80.  After Doris passed, Reuben looked forward to “Pie Day” at the Valley Café, in Volga, with his treasured friend Ray Johnson. Ray and Ardie, were like adopted family members who stepped into his life and helped fill the void of losing Doris. 

Also, on Tuesday’s he looked forward to Allen and Dorothy Husher’s visits, they were like angels to Reuben. 

There were also other good friends and family that helped him out with keeping his weekly schedule filled with love and laughter. Even with losing Doris, Reuben kept faith and such a good attitude,” you never get over losing her, you just learn to live with it.” And he did! 

Reuben was an active member of Sinai Lutheran Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Luther League Advisor, and sang in the choir. Reuben had a strong Christian faith and was a wonderful prayer warrior for his family.

He loved music, family, and friends.  He truly loved having company in their home, woodworking, camping, yard work, and gardening.  He adored his family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  It brought a big smile to his face to have his house filled with friends and family!

Survivors include his three children: Dean Skordahl (Lorraine) of Chisago City, MN Dan Skordahl (Jackie) of Brookings, and Janell Jorgenson  of Greensboro, North Carolina; eight grandchildren: Tanya Brewbaker of Greensboro, NC, Denise (Eric)Young of Blaine, MN, April (Mike) Peterson of Phoenix, AZ, Brian Skordahl of Blaine, MN, Joy (Grant) McAdaragh of Brookings, Daniel (Liz) Skordahl of Elkton, and Jacob and Joshua Skordahl of Chisago City, MN, two step grandchildren, Ashley Miller of Alexandria, MN, Mitch Miller of Brookings; 15 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Rev. David (Cheryl) Skordahl of Rodgers, MN, and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; best friend/wife; and three brothers, Richard, Orville, Gerald and son-in-law, Jon Jorgenson.