Obituary of Roy Skarbakka

Roy Skarbakka, of Moose Lake, died Sunday, March 6, in Mercy Hospital. Roy was born July 6, 1928, in Duluth to Waino and Aune Skarbakka. He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1946. Roy completed civil engineering training at Ft. Belvoir, Va., and served with the U.S. Army Engineers in Korea in 1952-54. Roy was employed by the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation for 40 years, retiring as a construction project supervisor in 1987. He built two homes and two cabins with precision and craftsmanship. Roy could fix practically anything! He enjoyed playing the accordion, reading, fishing, camping, and travel. Roy loved being outdoors, sitting and reading on the deck overlooking beautiful Sand Lake. His children and grandchildren were his special joy. He and Vivian were snowbirds for 25 years, spending winters in Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida. They traveled to all 50 states, many Canadian provinces, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Roy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Vivian (Tonheim); sister Elaine (Jim) Greenfield; son Glen (Terese West); daughters Diane Stroing (Vince Star) and Donna Hattenberger (Dale Hansen); grandchildren Lisa Skarbakka, Kayla Skarbakka (Evan McMahon) and their mother, Constance Skarbakka; Erik Stroing, Cody and Breanna Hattenberger, Alice Thielges; nephew Steve Greenfield; niece Linda (John) Spencer; and several cousins. A family "celebration of life" will be held at a later date.