James Edward Skalisky

     James “Jim” Skalisky, 69, of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, died peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

      A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Christy Smith Funeral Homes Morningside Chapel (located at 1801 Morningside Ave in Sioux City). Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service. The burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.

      Jim, the son of Leonard and Dorothy (Nelson) Skalisky, was born on March 30, 1955, in Sioux City. He attended Washington Elementary School, East Junior, and graduated from East High School in 1973.

      Jim worked at several grocery stores like Schwartz’s, Safeway, and Hinky Dinky. On March 17, 1979, he was united in marriage to Marsha (Sokolowski) Skalisky in Sioux City. In 1982, he graduated from Western Iowa Tech with a maintenance engineering degree. He worked at Woolco, Morningside College, and retired from Sioux City Community Schools in 2014 due to a lacunar stroke.

      Jim had many favorites. He loved fishing with friends and family. He watched the Minnesota Vikings (SKOL) and instilled his love for them in his two daughters as well. He also watched the Morningside University football games or would listen to them on the radio. If you truly knew Jim, you knew about his loyalty to Mopar, and he showed it with his collection of model cars and Matchbox cars. He also loved his model trains. He was also a movie nut; he even had a “movie bible” to let you know the actors in a particular movie or how it was rated out of five stars. He had the gift of gab and would talk to anyone and everyone. Many will remember his smile, jokes, and impersonations. Most of all, we will remember the feeling he left you after a conversation. 

      He was always ready to attend and cheer for Kadence’s soccer games through the years. He also supported her band, vocal, and dance concerts. He enjoyed attending Jules’ volleyball games, vocal concerts, and dance programs. He was able to watch some of Ruby’s gymnastic workouts. With Coral, he truly enjoyed watching her grow and play with her. He was an awesome grandpa to his four miracle granddaughters.

      He is survived by his wife, Marsha of Sergeant Bluff; his two daughters, Amy (Jay) Vermeys of Bronson and Kari (Nick) Varner of Sioux City; his four beautiful granddaughters, Kadence Hope Skalisky-O’Tool, Julianne Marie Varner, Ruby James Varner, and Coral Jo Varner; two sisters Leeann (Nathan) Frink of Nehawka, Nebraska and Julie (Kevin) Jacobs of Morgan’s Point Resort, Texas; sisters-in-law Marilyn Sokolowski, Donna Skalisky, and Karen Sokolowski; brother-in-law Don Nicholes; and several nieces and nephews. Other extended family members are Karter (Shaylee) Vermeys and Shelbi (Curtis) Parr and their three children, Barrett, Beckett, and Blaire; many cousins; and many friends.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law Eileen Sokolowski, his father-in-law John Sokolowski, his sister Nancy Nicholes, his brother Glenn William “Bill” Skalisky, and his brother-in-law Roger Sokolowski.

      In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to St. Croix Hospice in Jim’s honor, continuing his legacy.