Donald J. Skalla

Donald Joseph Skalla, age 77, of Scranton, Iowa, passed away on Monday, April 12, 2010 at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Scranton with Fr. Leo Reisberg as Celebrant. Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton after 2:30 P.M. on Wednesday where there will be a Rosary at 3:00 P.M. and a Christian Wake Service at 7:00 P.M. Lector for the Mass will be Don’s son John Skalla, Gift Bearers will be Don’s granddaughters: Rachel Barkley, Erin Barkley, and Skylore Curry. Eucharistic ministers will be Lois Skalla and Terri Curry. Casket bearers will be Patrick Skalla, Joshua Curry, Jeremiah Curry, Joseph Barkley, Kyle Barkley, Mike Cunningham, David Skalla, and Craig Skalla. The family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society. Born on May 4, 1932 in Carroll, Iowa, he was the son of Frank and Laura (Sievers) Skalla. His family moved to Greene County at age 3 where he grew up and attended school. He graduated from Scranton High School in 1950. Don began farming south of Scranton in 1951. He was married to Kathleen Tegels on September 21, 1951 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Maple River. The couple later divorced. He had served as Lay Director at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Scranton, he was an officer in the Jefferson Elks Lodge, and he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Lodge 2030 of Jefferson. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening, collecting, bird watching, cooking, canning, and woodworking. Don was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Scranton. Surviving are three children: Cheryl Kellen of Sioux City, Iowa; Terri Curry and her husband Kevin of Elk Point, South Dakota; John Skalla and his wife Terri of Sartell, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; one great grandchild; a sister Rosella Schelle of Carroll; two sisters-in-law Lois Skalla and Mildred Skalla of Scranton; and his special friend Karen Cunningham of Jefferson.