Bjorn John Skjold

March, 27, 1931- Nov. 18, 2004

Our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great grandfather has gone to be with Our Lord Jesus Christ and will be greatly missed.

Bjorn John Skjold, one of eleven children, was born on March 27, 1931 to Hazel B. Gradwell and John P. Skjold at Saint Vincent, Minn. He attended local schools, graduating from Pembina High, Pembina, N.D. He joined the U.S. Army and served as a communications specialist in Ulm, Germany. He completed his education at Solano College, earning an Associate of Science degree.

He married Marie Therese Roy in Hallock, Minn. and moved to Vallejo, California in 1957. Loving this area, he started his career at Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a welding apprentice. Retiring in 1988 as a Senior General Foreman after 30 years of civil service.

After retiring he enjoyed carpentry and travel. After building a cabin at Dorrington, Ca., he and his wife traveled extensively throughout the continent in their R.V., spending winters in Mesa, Arizona. Visiting friends and relatives (Minn.), (N.D.) and (Canada) they also spent a fall in the northeast, two summers in Alaska, a winter in the southeast and an extensive trip to Asia.

He also was associated for many years with The Boy Scouts of America, and the Saint Basil¹s Parents Club. As a founding member of Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, he was an example of service, serving his congregation in the Hospitality ministry and Men¹s Club. As a past President of the Sacramento Diocese Cursillo movement, and Coordinator for Teens Encounter Christ program in Vallejo he enjoyed everyone and loved to cook for fundraisers.

He is survived by his wife (Marie) of 48 years. From this union four children David, Fran (Bill) Connick, Michael (Kelly), and Therese (Randy) Jesch.

Grandchildren; Gregory, Christy, Leta, Yolanda, Brian, Jesse, Nicole, Peter, Michael and Charles. Great-Grandchildren: Jacob, Amelia, Emily, Cassidy, and Gabriel also added enjoyment to his life.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The American Juvenile Diabetes foundation, Muscular Sclerosis association, or the Humane Society.

Father Jesse will officiate a 6 p.m. Rosary today at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Vallejo. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Burial will follow at All Souls Cemetery, Vallejo.

We are all very grateful for all the examples he left us with: His humor, His sense of honor, and His will to be the best... each day. We will all miss him greatly but we are honored that he gave us such a great life, with many fantastic adventures, but mostly his actions of parenthood and caring each day.

Thank you for all your cards, wishful thoughts and prayers, over this time of great difficulty. We hold you all dear in our hearts and know your thoughts of him are joyful.