Jack Skarda, age 94, passed away on March 11, 2024. He was born on November 30, 1929, on the family farm north of Charlson. He was the third child of Lewis and Jessie (Falls) Skarda. Jessie homesteaded in the Bowman area before she married Lewis. They moved from the river bottom when he was in 7th grade. He graduated from Old Sanish High School in 1948. While in High School, he enjoyed playing on their basketball team.

Jack went into the Army in January 1952 and went to basic training in Augusta Georgia. He then went to Germany after the end of World War II and was in the 43rd Infantry Division Signal Corps. He got out of the army in December 1953 and went back to farming on the home place.

He met the love of his life, Joanne Blegen in 1954 and they were married in 1955. They had 4 children: Charlotte, Gary, Wayne, and Randy. He roughnecked for a while in 1956 and worked for Lawrence Transportation as a crane operator and truck driver. He bought the Keene store in 1959 and worked there while also farming and driving school bus (2-3 years). He sold it in 1973. He bought the current farm in pieces starting in 1958 with the purchase of a house and some land from Carl Gryte.

In his younger years he loved to participate in Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Calf Roping in the rodeo when he was not farming. He always enjoyed going hunting and especially loved horses. He loved being a rancher.

Jack is survived by his children; Charlotte Willis (Greg), Gary Skarda (Kathy), Wayne Skarda (Kim) and Randy Skarda (Tana). He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death his wife Joanne, his parents Lewis and Jessie (Falls) Skarda, his sister Marge Kieson, brothers Robert and William and infant granddaughters Melinda and Shawna Willis.