Evelyn Skadsem

Evelyn was a 1941 graduate of Caledonia High School, Caledonia, MN and attended

Winona State Teachers College, and LaCrosse State Teachers College. She taught school

in Houston MN and New Albin IA. She married Reuben Skadsem in 1944 and continued

to teach school in Rochester MN. They moved to Minot, ND in 1945 where she helped

her husband manage his auto body shop business there and later in Lacrosse, WI. In 1951

they sold their business and headed "North to Alaska" with their 2 young sons and some

relatives in a caravan of three cars pulling trailers. She fell in love with the beauty of

Alaska and made it her permanent home, watching Alaska ushered into Statehood and

surviving the great 1964 earthquake. She added a daughter to the family born in the

territory of Alaska and another son born one day after Alaska became a state. Evelyn worked for Northwest Orient Airlines in the early 60's. After that she found employment with the State of Alaska, Department of Transportation where she worked the next 25 years before retiring in 1988.

Evelyn, affectionately known by her family and friends as "the Lovely Lady" enjoyed'

flower gardening, jig saw puzzles, oil painting and photography. She was very active

before suffering a stroke in 2009 and enjoyed her activities and friends at water aerobics

class and the TOPS Club Chapter 41. She was a member of Faith Christian Community

Church and her lifelong faithful walk with God was an inspiration to many. Her amazing

optimistic attitude and determination to enjoy life even after suffering a stroke was an

example of her faith and trust in God. Her family says, "We will miss her dearly but are

glad she is happy at home with the Lord."

Evelyn is survived by her two sons, DeWayne, Skadsem, Tenino, WA, Donald (Janie) Skadsem, Anchorage; daughter Darlene (Stan) Dunagan, Anchorage; sister Esther Diersen, Eitzen, MN; grand children, Charles (Rene) Skadsem, Shelton, WA, Lisa Dunagan, Rachel Dunagan, Darryl Skadsem, Anchorage, John Morrison, Jacqueline (Joseph) Bohlken, Robert Morrison and 5 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express appreciation to the medical staff at Providence Medical

Center for their compassionate care during Evelyn's final days and also to Mel and Lori

Frey and staff at Serenity Circle Assisted Living for their excellent care and beautiful

loving home environment they provided after her stroke.

There will be a visitation from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, August 12 at Legacy Funeral Home, Kehl's Chapel, 11621 Old Seward Highway. The service will be at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Faith Christian Community Church, 4240 Wisconsin St.