In Loving Memory

Lloyd Skaalrud

Prayer Service

Wednesday, August 15th

7:00 p.m.

Chapel of Tompkins Funeral Home

Funeral Service

Thursday, August 16th

2:00 p,m.

Chapel of Tompkins Funeral Home

Obituary Lloyd Ardell Skaalrud was born to Orvin and Cecilia Skaalrud on September 16, 1938, in Wadena, Saskatchewan. Lloyd spent his early years on the family farm in the Wooler District north of Paswegin, carrying his younger siblings through the snow, uphill (both ways, mind you) to school until the family moved to Humboldt.Not one for school (what with all the hills both ways), Lloyd left school after Grade 8 to start working. His first job was delivering groceries in Humboldt. On September 16, 1961, Lloyd married Dorothy Braun from Lake Lenore. It was love at first sight (for him at least) and that endured for more than 50 years. Eventually Lloyd made his way to Kirsh Construction building roads throughout the province. Both he and Dorothy remember fondly their time spent in construction camps. Lloyd always took great pride in the work done to complete the No. 5 highway from Watson to Humboldt, noting to anyone who would listen to his story, that it remained one of the best highways in the province.In 1973, Lloyd and Dorothy moved their five kids to the farm on the Hendon grid to return to his very close second love – farming. A few years later, Lloyd’s shadow and future farmer (Robert) came along to complete the family.Starting with a tiny house and two quarters, Lloyd and Dorothy built up the farm with help from their free labour (there must have been a reason for so many kids). Lloyd was a talented mechanic and could keep any piece of machinery running. If he didn’t have something, he could make it with some scrap iron and a welder. Lloyd passed this knowledge along to all the boys, each of which took a turn taking apart and rebuilding the same tractor at least once under Lloyd’s watchful eye.Lloyd enjoyed a good laugh. It was not uncommon to hear him across the room at a family or community gathering, laughing so hard tears poured down his face. Dorothy could always locate him when he got going.Lloyd seemed to take a perverse pleasure in getting the boys out to work after a wild night on the town. He liked to remind them that if they could hoot with the owls all night, they could get up and soar with the eagles in the morning. Lloyd wasn’t known for being the most patient guy in the world. But when Dorothy became ill with Alzheimer’s, he found a wealth of patience and kindness and, with Robert’s help, cared for her until shortly before her death in May 2016. Until pretty late in her illness, she always recognized him, her face lighting up and calling, “There’s Lloyd” each time he entered the room. He also revealed a secret talent for cooking that he managed to hide for more than 50 years.Lloyd always maintained that he would leave the farm in a pine box. On the morning of August 12, he got his wish. We take comfort, knowing Lloyd and Dorothy are together again, free from any pain and illness of this world.Lloyd was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy; parents, Orvin and Ceclia; and sister Colleen Anderson. Lloyd will be remembered by his six children, Ardel (Sheila); Dean, Dawne (Arden) Ehlert; Douglas, Lynnette and Robert; grandchildren, Dustin, Danielle (Coleman) Applegate; Tyler Ehlert, Kevin; Dylan Ehlert and Jasmine Ehlert; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Dwaine (Agnus); sisters, Janice Skaalrud, Irene Skinner, Leona Washkowsky, and Sharon (Ed) Yurkowski; many brothers- and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations in Lloyd’s memory may be made tothe Clair Cemetery Fund, or to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan in memory of Dorothy Skaalrud.