Marian Gail Skalko

Marian Gail Skalko

Have you ever met someone who led by example and dedicated her life to being a good role model for her family? You have? Wonderful! We have too. She was our mom, Marian Gail Skalko.

Marian has left this physical world to a better place, where she joins her husband, daughter, grandson, sisters and brothers, and the many friends that preceded her. She is resting in the caring arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. These last years, Marian carried her cross. She passed quietly on the evening of November 12. It brings us joy that she is at peace and at her final home.

Marian was born in 1936 into the large Harold and Elsie Grams family of Duluth, moving to St Paul before settling with her family in Virginia. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954. She married, and shared a life with her husband Ed, raising five children with him.

Their home in Midway was always a hub of activity. Marian 'volunteered' in many of her kids' pursuits, chaperoning, leading, driving them back and forth, encouraging and cheering them on.

Marian followed in her father's footsteps and volunteered with Girl Scouts where her garage was the drop off point for the truckloads of Girl Scout Cookies that were sold and distributed by girls across northern Minnesota. She was active in her church guilds– starting with Our Lady of Lourdes and then Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Recently she enjoyed the Marquette School Oktoberfest where she delighted in sharing a meal and listening to music with her family and friends.

Marian and Ed founded Edwards Oil. She was the original phone receptionist and order taker for customers calling for fuel delivery, and the bookkeeper. With him she helped start the Lucky Seven brand of convenience stores. Why the name Lucky Seven General Stores? They always thought they were very 'Lucky' to live on the Iron Range and raise their family of 'Seven'. Together they worked hard to help the company survive.

Her greatest treasures on Earth, though, were the five children that she put her heart and soul into raising. She shared their joys, and she shared their sorrows. Many of her children grew up and left the area but if they needed her, she was never more than a phone call or a plane trip away.

She was known by her family for her "little ditties" which means that on special occasions, she would sit down and write a rhyme that would explain her message or to announce the good news.

She was tough when she had to be forgiving when she needed to be honest always. You knew where you stood with Mom.

Mom loved to decorate her home and liked fashion. Her kids were dressed to the "nines" for those special occasions when they were little. Growing up, Christmastime was a special time at her home, and it was hard to find the tree because the gifts were piled up high when the kids and grandkids came to celebrate on Christmas Eve. Most of the time it was a wrapped package from "the flower store" – meaning a box with clothes from Herberger's. And of course, she put out an awesome Christmas Eve spread of food on the table so that nobody went home hungry.

Being with family, friends, and relatives at their summer cabin on Lake Vermillion were special to her. She always kept an open door and there were at least three big events a summer – her family, Ed's family, and her side. A trip with Ed to Fortune Bay was a regular occurrence to try her luck or share a meal. She liked to fish – but I don't think she ever kept one. It's a long story, we can talk about it sometime.

Marion leaves behind four children; Bob (Beth) Skalko of Mt. Iron, Dawn (Dr Chris Radnell) Santelli of St. Paul, Paula (Scott) Wagner of Andover and Kim (Stephen) Flake of Kanab Utah, Her grandchildren; Dr Cara (Dr Jeff Standish) Santelli, Patrick (Sarah Oppelt) Santelli, Scott (Jessica) Skalko, Amanda (Jennie) Trunzo, Craig (Maggie) Skalko and twelve great-grandchildren; Kai, Kieran, Alden, Nora, James, Elliott, Georgia, Theodore, Calvin, Graham, Caroline, and Nova (with three more on the way), brother Bill (Jody) Grams, sister Nancy Mosier of the Twin Cities and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband Ed, daughter Gail, grandson Ryan Trunzo, sisters Grace Hinsa, Elsie Weiser and Carol Landmark, brothers James, Robert, Buck, Jack and Richard Grams and her parents Harold and Elsie Grams.

Edgewood Assisted Living in Virginia was Marian's home for the last five years and she made many friends with the residents and staff. Colin was always at her table and became a special friend to her and to her family. Our gratitude and thanks go out to the medical providers and caregivers at Edgewood, Essentia Virginia, Duluth and Essentia Hospice.

Marian's funeral will be at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia, MN on Saturday November 22, 2025. Service is at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour before the service. Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Virginia. Memorials are preferred to Marquette Catholic Schools.

Mom was a quiet leader, worked from behind the scenes and knew how to support those around her. She loved life most when her family was close-by. She was an awesome role model for us all. Thank you, Mom, we love you and will miss you dearly. We hope to be as good a role model in our lives as you were in yours.

Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia. To express condolences online please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.