John Lewis Skaar, age 86, of Hixton, passed away at the Grand View Care Center in Blair on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.

John was born on September 23, 1934 in Hixton to Bert and Borghild (Dahl) Skaar.  He was raised on the family farm in Taylor before enlisting in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  After returning to Taylor he married Charlotte Hanson on June 2, 1956.  In 1958, John and Charlotte moved to Hixton.

As a lifelong member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hixton, his love for faith, family and friends was infectious.  He always greeted all with a smile, handshake and kind words.  John was a bit of a jokester as well, always looking to cheer a person up.  He so much loved children, knowing they are our country's future.  John loved his Cadillac automobile trips with Charlotte to visit family or just see the countryside.

John loved life and lived by the motto, "Work hard, play hard".  He tried his hand in many professions before making a 25 plus year career at Sampson Heating and Air Conditioning in Hixton as a system installer and as the number one on-call repairman.  Responding to no heat service calls during harsh winter storms to restore heat for many appreciatinve families and businesses when the roads had yet to be plowed was common.  John later went on to work as a real estate sales agent for Osseo's Banhub Realty.  He truly was a craftsman who loved working with his hands and after retirement he continued to do so by going in his shop to tinker, as he called it, with many projects.

John was devoted to many serving community organizations.  As an uniformed armed service veteran, it is believed his number one love was his country and the service members that served to keep it free.  His devotion to the Hanson-Lien Taylor-Hixton American Legion Post #368 was impressive.  As a lifelong member, he held many officer positions including Post Commander, Military Honors Detail Leader, Jackson County Service Officer representative and always as a supporting member to all.

John was proud to be a volunteer fire fighter and took it seriously seeking rapid response times to minimize loss of life and property damage.  He was also an active member of the Rod & Gun Club that promoted gun safety and wildlife management.  John also took on leadership roles in his Our Savior's Lutheran Church and on the Hixton town board to better his community.

John is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte; four children, Stewart (Lori Walsh)) Skaar of Warrensburg, MO, Shawn Kniseley (Tom Holven) of Mindoro, Shelley (Jerome) Waldera of Hudson and Steve Skaar of Denver, CO; six grandchildren, Joel Skaar, Jesse Skaar, Bjorn (Tina) Helgeson, Siri Helgeson, Lars Helgeson and Jeryn Waldera; seven siblings, Bernice Crogan, Vic (Rejtie) Skaar, Beatrice Berg, Daryl (Nancy) Skaar, Gary Skaar, Enid (Jeff) Bahnub and Ed (Renate) Skor.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Marcia Skaar; a son-in-law, James P. Kniseley; a grandson, Justin Waldera and two brothers-in-law, Donald Crogan and Kenny Berg.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, July 12, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. in Our Savior's Lutheran Church with burial in the Trinity Rest Cemetery both in Hixton.  Pastor Elden Simonson will officiate.  Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be designated to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post #368, the Hixton Volunteer Fire Department or the Grand View Care Center.

The Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.