Arne was born on a farm in McKenzie County, ND and was the sixth and last child born to Anton and Anna Skedsvold of rural Alexander, N.D. on October 17, 1928. He attended school in Alexander, ND and before graduating enlisted in the US Army Air Corps at age 17. Upon being discharged from what was now the US Air Force (Army Air Corps) Arne married his 8th grade sweetheart and love of his life, Joyce Olson, in March of 1952 in Salem, Oregon. They began their married life in Bozeman, MT. Arne graduated from Montana State University in 1953 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture which he used until his final day. After living in Deer Lodge, Billings, Plentywood (all in MT) they finally settled in Culbertson where they raised their family.

Arne was passionate about three things: Family, Friends and the Land.

Arne had many strong beliefs; His faith, being civically involved and his love of politics. He served many terms on the school, hospital and church boards. He was a leader in the community teaching Sunday School, taking trips with the FFA, and leading and promoting 4-H; often judging animals at the local county fair. He would have preferred to not judge chickens and rabbits.

Arne’s love of animals translated to his children. Many animals resided at the split level home Arne and Joyce built in 1960 to house their growing family. His only breaking point was Debbie’s bum sheep, pigs and ducks in our basement. Many bricks memorializing animals can be found in the backyard at 623 E Ave. Although the goats ate our beloved mothers flowers they were allowed continued residence as they provided goats milk to some of the lactose intolerant Skedsvold children.

Arne’s children also inherited his love of singing. Until his death, his favorite thing to do was to gather with the red and green hymnals by the piano and sing. We children can attest to the hours he sat next to our dear mother singing to her the last year of her life. We would laugh as our mother would request something more upbeat from her dear Arne.
Arne never forgot his roots. In 1984 he followed his heart and left his career at Custom Built Feeds to return to the land his mother homesteaded in 1911. He maintained many Norwegian traditions via songs he sang in Norwegian and food celebrated during the holidays. Many of us children held our noses during his Christmas ritual of eating lutefisk but enjoyed many sugared batches of lefse with meatballs and potatoes. He spent this last Thanksgiving making oodles of krumkake with his beloved granddaughters where they cooked and he feasted.

Arne died doing what he loved, with the people he loved, on the land he loved. He was building a home where he had hoped our mother and he would spend their dying days. Unfortunately, the love of his life did not make it to live there nor did he. It was the land and grandchildren that carried him through the most painful part of his life, the loss of his love, Joyce, whom he was fortunate to spend 75 out his 89 years.

Arne was not a stranger to pain having buried his parents, all of his siblings, his first born son, his beloved son-in-law, nephew, and grandson and many dear friends. Arne was loyal to those he loved often showing up in the middle of the night or driving through the Badlands weather to be there for his children, grandchildren and friends. He also loved his neighbors who became a vital part of his life.

Arne is survived by seven children: Kristin Hallgrimson of Missoula, MT; Karen (Bruce) Smith of Fallon, MT; Peter (Beth) Skedsvold of Alexander, ND; Deann (Greg) Heen of rural Williston, ND; Debbie (Lowell) Cutshaw of Bridger, MT; Paul (Jennifer) Skedsvold of Winchester, VA; Kari (Bob) Workmeister of Portland, OR.

Arne also was the proud grandfather of 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren all of whom he adored.

He is survived by his sister in laws; Dorothy Schrupp, Costa Mesa CA, Faye (John) Bacon, Carlsbad, CA.

Arne is also survived by many cousins (many in Norway), numerous nieces and nephews and friends around the world.

Arne was preceded in death by his soul mate Joyce, son Kirk (18 months), grandson Andrew Heen, his parents Anton and Anna, his brothers Karl, Obert, Gunder, Alfred and sister, Adeline, his beloved in-laws Peder and Gladys Olson, his son-in-law Mark Hallgrimson, his brother-in-laws Harold (Hal) Schrupp, Al Ley. Joyce’s brother; Jerry Olson. Sister-in-laws Sue Skedsvold, Delores Skedsvold and Norma (Olson) Wilbur.







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Memorial Contribution