We Miss You Already Grandpa!

My grandfather passed away in June, a man of small stature, but great wisdom, faith, and love. He was working in his garden on the farm--yes, even at the age of 90, he still maintained and tended his own garden--when he passed away. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect place for him to spend his final moments on earth. Loving and working in the land he so appreciated. He was a great example of a truly devoted husband, a hard worker, a faithful servant of God, a loving dad, and a man who understood that laughter was the essence of life. I will always have fond memories of him and know that now he is in Heaven, dancing with Grandma or playing cards with Jesus.

 

Here is his obituary...

OWATONNA — Joseph Edward Skala, 90, passed away June 19, 2013, at his son’s home in rural Blooming Prairie.

Joseph was born March, 3, 1923, in Bagley, Minn., to parents Frank and Agnes (Matejcek) Skala. His mother passed away three weeks after birth, and in 1929, His great aunt Josephine and Uncle John Kubicek brought him to their farm home in Summit Township and raised him after his father’s death. He Joined the U.S. Army in June 16, 1946, serving in Korea and was honorably discharged Nov. 14, 1947. Joe was united in marriage to Mary Ann Simon on May 17, 1949, where they farmed in the Litomysl area until retiring in 1986, moving to Owatonna.

He was a life member of the VFW. He loved being a farmer all his life, and also did some custom work. He enjoyed playing cards, telling jokes and fishing. But most of all he enjoyed and loved his whole family.

Joseph is survived by his two daughters, Mary (Wayne) Sommers of Ellendale, Florence “Flory” (Gary) Anderson, Owatonna; nine sons, Ed (Sharon), Tom (Lisa), all of Blooming Prairie, Dick (Connie) of Eden Prairie, Dave (Vickie), John (Toni), Steve, Fran (LaKlenza), Ron (Dawn), Joe (Michele), all of Owatonna; 33 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren (with six more on the way); and a step-sister Agnes Titera.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann; infant daughter, Agnes; two sisters, Sr. Francella and Sr. Immolata; brother, Frank; two half-brothers; and two step brothers.

We would like to express a special thank you to our brother Steve for all his care he has given our dad over the years.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Rd., Owatonna, and one hour prior to the Mass at the church beginning at 9 a.m. There will be a Knight’s of Columbus rosary at 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 6, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Litomysl. Interment will be at the church cemetery. Military honor's provided by the Steele County funeral unit. Condolences may be expressed at www.brick-megerfuneralhome.com. Memorials preferred to St. Isidore’s Catholic school or Holy Trinity Catholic church.

Grandpa in his younger days

Grandma and Grandpa at the 40th Wedding Anniversary

Some wise words he left behind..."I would like to say that I was born about as poor as anybody could be losing mother & father at an early age, but God was good to me & had plans for me. I worked hard & accumulated some wealth which I like to share with the hungry & poor. As you grow older, you begin to think about the hereafter more & know that you have to leave everything behind, so make the best of everything while you are able. With all my Love, Joseph E. Skala"

 We had a family visitation a few days after he died for a viewing, prayers, and sharing some memories and hugs. I heard several new stories that made me laugh and cry. Because some family were leaving on vacations shortly thereafter, the wake and funeral were a couple weeks later. The funeral was held at the old country church he attended for many many years and I was honored to be one of the pallbearers. We actually walked one block from the church to the cemetery on a country gravel road in a big processional, and I couldn't help but look around as the sun shone down on all the farm fields around us, thinking "this is the perfect resting place for Grandpa". After lunch, we headed out to my aunt and uncle's cabin for a day at the lake which had been planned as a family fish fry event for months and ended up being a great way to finish off the day. They even had a card game tournament in honor of Grandpa.