Charles Skaug

Charles Ludwig Herman Skaug was born March 10, 1918 to Martin and Ellen (Miller) Skaug on the family farm in Rock Lake Township, Lyon County, Minnesota. He grew up on the farm and attended District #18 country school. He was baptized and confirmed at Sillerud Lutheran Church of rural Balaton, Minnesota. On February 5, 1944 Charles married Audrey Squashingroff in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with three children and 69 years of life together. The couple farmed for 25 years, most of that time on the Skaug Family Farm. In 1967 the couple moved to Russell, Minnesota. Charles was employed by Marshall Produce and Southwest Dairy Association in Russell. After retirement he worked part-time as a custodian at Best Western Marshall Inn. In 2011 he became a resident of Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Balaton where on Saturday, April 13, 2013 Charles died at the age of 95 years, 1 month, and 3 days.

Charles was a member of Sillerud Lutheran Church and had served on the Church Council. His grandparents were charter members of the congregation. He liked helping his children with 4-H projects, and enjoyed woodworking and restoring and refinishing furniture. He restored a 1952 Chevrolet and drove it in parades for several years. He took pride in helping elderly residents of Russell (most of whom were younger than he was) with lawn mowing and handyman projects.

Charles is lovingly remembered by his wife, Audrey, of Balaton; his children, Judy Baumann and her husband James of Hastings, Minnesota, Terry Skaug of Slayton, Minnesota, and Lori Grant and her husband Greg of Russell, Minnesota; five grandchildren: Suzanne, Gina, Michael, Lacey, and Glen; a great-grandchild, Summer; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers, Chester, Harold, and Clarence; and his six sisters, Dora Nelson, Mabel Pehrson, Agnes Taggart, Helen Duff, Edna Welsand, and Irene Chantry.