The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

John Skramstad, died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

He was born Sept. 22, 1922, in Montevideo, the son of Theodore and Clara (Olson) Skramstad. He grew up there where he attended school, graduating from Montevideo High School. Following his graduation he joined the U.S. Navy. During World War II he served as an Aviation Fire Controlman First Class, and was stationed at Bouganville, New Haberdese and American Samoa over a 19 month period.

After his discharge from the Navy in February 1946, he returned to Montevideo where he began a career in the lumber business.

In December of 1946, he married Dorothy Christianson after many heart-filled letters while he was overseas. They built a house next to John’s parents’ home, and had a son, Richard, in 1948.

In January of 1950, John purchased a lumber yard in Inkster, N.D., and the family moved to Inkster. While in Inkster, the family grew with the birth of three daughters, Margaret in 1951, Ruth in 1954, and Kathleen in 1957.

In the spring of 1957, John’s family moved to Mitchell, S.D., where John worked for Fullerton Lumber.

The next move was to Hastings in 1961, where he worked for Gibson Lumber.

Finally in 1962, he and his family moved to Fergus Falls, where he worked for Fergus Lumber and Fuel until he started Skramstad’s Paint and Wallpaper in 1965.

John made a career shift in 1970 when he became deputy county assessor for Otter Tail County.

In 1984, he formally retired, but continued doing contract assessing work for several years, finally ending his employment years in 1991.

John was always serving others, volunteering for driving medical supplies throughout the county from 1985 to 2003.

John also took on the care and maintenance of Oak Grove Cemetery for several years.

He was an active member of First Lutheran Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and three older brothers.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Skramstad of Fergus Falls; a son, Richard (Abby Smith) Skramstad of Seattle, Wash.; daughters, Margaret (James) Maloney of St. Paul, Ruth (Bob) Thurau of St. Louis, Mo., and Kathleen (Garry) Peters of Portland, Ore.; grandchildren, Adam (Christine) Thurau, David (Beth) Thurau, Michael Thurau, Kyle Peters, and London Peters; and a great-grandchild due in May.

Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 11 a.m. Saturday, at First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls

Clergy: Rev. Saul Stensvaag

Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls

Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls

Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com