Obituary of Danny Clifford Skillings

Danny C. Skillings of Edina, passed away peacefully February 8, 2026. Danny Clifford Skillings was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 14, 1941 to Clyde Lester Skillings and Irene Margaret (Frykman) Skillings. He was later joined in the family by sisters Cheryl Lynne (Mitchell) and Pamela Rae (Auger).

He graduated from Columbia Heights High School in 1959 and served aboard an aircraft carrier in the US Navy from 1960 – 1962. He married Helen June Adams (Hunter) in 1964 and they moved to Atlanta, Georgia until her death in 2003.

In his early years of employment, Dan worked as an aircraft mechanic for Northwest Airlines and The Lockheed Georgia Company. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University in 1973, and was employed by The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, as a department manager for settlement services from 1972 until his early retirement for health reasons in 1997.

He returned to Minnesota in 2003, shortly after the passing of his wife June. He met and married Mary Dell Esau (Jax) in 2006, and quickly adopted in his heart her three daughters, Diane, Sheila and Leslie, and eight grandchildren. He and Mary enjoyed road trips with friends and spending long summer days at their RV near Nisswa, Minnesota, especially with the grandkids. Dan had a great time getting together each week with his Wednesday lunch buddies. His hobbies included writing, music and APBA baseball.

Dan loved spending time with family and Wooddale Church where he served and participated in various ministries and groups. The church played a significant role in helping him to grow his faith and his relationship with Jesus Christ. He also liked serving with Christian non-profits, Reach and Restore and Forever Friends.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents and sister Cheryl. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and his adopted family; her daughters Diane (Tim) Knippenberg, Sheila (Tom) Getz, and Leslie (Jason) Prondzinski grandchildren Mitchell (Abbi) and Jackie Knippenberg (Samuel), Sydney, Jonny (Hannah) and Hailey Getz, and Matthew, Mollie (Nick) and Carly Prondzinski, and great grandchildren, Cal and Ava Ann Knippenberg. He’s also survived by his sister Pam (Chuck, niece Jennifer (Scott) Vowels, and nephews Dan (Jenn) Auger, and great nephews, Nick Vowels, Jake Vowels, Connor Vowels, and Rory Auger.

The Livestream for Danny's service; will begin at 10:45am on Thursday, February 26th. You may find the link here: https://www.wooddale.org/events/