Everett Skjei

EVERETT KENNETH SKJEI was born to Edwin and Alice (Johnson) Skjei on December 4, 1920 in Madison, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm in Arena Township, near Nassau, Minnesota where he attended country school. Upon completion of his education, he worked as a farmhand. On September 24, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II. After his discharge from the service on August 29, 1946, he returned to Madison and worked for Great Plains Supply Company. On April 24, 1949, he was united in marriage to Sylvia Bornhorst in Madison. Following their marriage, they lived in Madison. In 1963, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota when Everett became the assistant manager for Great Plains Supply Company in Pipestone. After Everett retired in 1981, he began doing carpentry work on his own. He was relied on by many people in Pipestone for his handyman talents. He continued to do this for many years until his health prevented him. A month after his wife entered the nursing home, he likewise became a resident of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone on December 10, 2003. His wife preceded him in death on April 18, 2009. After her death, he continued to reside in the nursing home. On Monday, January 14, 2013, Everett died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone at the age of 92 years, one month and ten days.

Everett was a member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone. He was past commander of the Pipestone VFW Post 3814. He was also a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post 6 in Pipestone. Playing bingo was Everett and Sylvia’s favorite pastime. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Joan Schroeder and her husband Galen of Pipestone, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Lance Lange and his wife Vicki of Salem, South Dakota, and Kelly Lange of Cape Coral, Florida; one great-granddaughter, Skylar; one step-great-grandson, Hunter; and one brother, Stanley Skjei and his wife Kathy of Maricopa, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia; his parents; one brother, Jerome Skjei; and one sister, Ethel Allen.