James "Jim" Haugen Skadahl, age 92, of Whitehall, died on Saturday, October 25, 2014 in his home.

Jim was born in the town of Pigeon Falls, WI on May 22, 1922 to John and Louise (Haugen) Skadahl. He spent the first four years in town before moving to a farm just outside of Pigeon Falls and grew up and worked on the family farm.

Jim graduated from the Pigeon Falls State Grade School in 1936 and graduated from High School in Whitehall in 1940. During this time the Depression, draught and war led to sparse employment opportunities. While Jim worked on the farm he took correspondence courses from the University of Wisconsin that gave him credits toward an engineering degree but he never continued with the residence study.
After serving in the Navy he was discharged in 1946 and worked as a carpenter for a few years.

Jim married Betty Elaine Goplin on August 28, 1948 in Whitehall and they were together almost 65 years. They were blessed with three children, Richard (Mary) Skadahl of Eau Claire, Virginia (Robert) Potts of Orinda, CA and Kim (Cynthia) Skadahl of Rothschild; six grandchildren, Melissa and Matthew Skadahl, Ashley Potts, Kai (Nick) Stanecki, Kirsten (Kyle) Janssen and Luke (Nicole) Skadahl and three great-grandchildren, Jack Skadahl, William James Skadahl and Anders Janssen and another great-grandson to be born in January.

Jim worked on building schools and churches prior to becoming a Superintendent and Engineer for Lunda Construction of Black River Falls, WI. He worked on bridge building in three states from 1958-1993. He was especially proud of the work he did on the Richard I. Bong Bridge project, designed by Ayres Associates, linking Duluth and Superior that was 11,800 feet long and was one of the largest public works projects ever undertaken by the State of WI. In 2007, the bridge was awarded the "Wonders of Wisconsin" Engineering Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies in recognition of the chapter's 50th anniversary.

After retirement, Jim's passion for carpentry extended to his family, friends, neighbors, church and community. He picked up the hobby of cabinet making that he practiced until the end.

He was an active volunteer at his church, Our Saviour's Lutheran of Whitehall and instrumental in many remodeling projects and the addition of an elevator.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Louise Skadahl; his wife, Betty Elaine Skadahl on March 4, 2013; two sisters, Avilda Skadahl and Lillian Skordahl and two brothers, Arden and Stanley Skadahl.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Whitehall. Pastor Yvonne Marshall will officiate. Burial will be in the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Pigeon Falls.

Visitation will be Friday, October 31, 2014 from 4-7 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.