Gifford Skree

Houston, Gifford Lyle Skree, 92, of Houston died Friday, February 25, 2011 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse. Gifford was born June 14, 1918 in Caledonia to Anton and Mary (Kragness) Skree. He graduated from Houston High School in 1937 and attended St. Olaf College in Northfield for a year. Gifford enlisted in the 8th Army Air Corp on January 1, 1942 serving in England until his discharge October 5, 1945. Gifford and Marjorie Sather were married March 15, 1947 in Looney valley. He worked as an Ag Extension Agent for a short time before becoming a partner with Harold Poppe in the Houston John Deere Dealership until 1953. The couple then farmed in Yucatan Township. He was an active member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, serving as a deacon, g Sunday school teacher and superintendant. He also served on the Yucatan Town Board for 22 years and the Houston Co-op Creamery for 19 years. Gifford enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing, gardening and traveling. Survivors include his wife Marjorie, six children; Steven (Susanne) Skree of Rochester, Gerald (Jeanne) Skree of Inver Grove Heights, Mary Ann Dascher of Winona, Kathleen Skree of Minneapolis, Sherrie Conroy of Ham Lake and Susan Skree of Minneapolis, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two sisters, Genevieve Skree of LaCrescent and Jo Ann Carlson of Caledonia. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Darrel and Robert. Funeral Service will be 11AM Wednesday at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston with the Reverend Lane Zafke officiating. Burial will follow at Stone Church Cemetery with the Houston American Legion Post conducting military graveside honors. Friends may call from 5-8PM Tuesday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Houston. They may also call one hour before services at the church. Please share a memory of Gifford at hi on-line Guestbook and view his Tribute Video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the Freedom Honor Flight and Cross of Christ Lutheran Church.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/200874