Donald Skarda

Picha Funeral Home, Locally Owned and Operated

Providing Friendly, Courteous and Dignified Funeral Service

Donald A. Skarda, age 82 of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin died peacefully Monday, July 14, 2008 at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, Wisconsin after a long battle with lung cancer.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Wisconsin Dells with Monsignor Felix Oehrlein celebrating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Wisconsin Dells with full military honors provided by the Harold B. Larkin American Legion Post 187, Wisconsin Dells. Visitation will be held at the Catholic school across the street from the church on Friday, July 18, 2008 from 4 to 7 P.M. and on Saturday at St. Cecilia Catholic Church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at 10:30 A.M.

In lieu of flowers memorials may made to the American Lung Association.

Donald was born August 25, 1925 on a farm in the Township of Wellington in Monroe County, Wisconsin the son of Paul J. and Caroline (Rynes) Skarda. He was proud of his Czech heritage. He graduated from high school in Ontario, Wisconsin in 1943 and entered the U.S. Navy in July when he was still 17 and attended Notre Dame, Murray State and the University of Georgia while in the military. He received combat training at the Long Beach Naval Station in Long Island, New York. This training was designed to equip sailors with the skills needed to invade foreign countries. He was stationed at Subic Bay Naval Base in Luzon, Philippines with a Navy invasion force preparing to invade the main island of Japan. He and his comrades were relieved when the news came that WW II had ended. After being honorably discharged in 1946 he enrolled at the Wisconsin Teachers College in LaCrosse, Wisconsin and received a B.S. degree in education in 1950. He was able to continue his education because of the G.I. Bill which was conceived and vigorously lobbied by the American Legion. Don received his M.S. degree in education from U.W. Madison in 1954. He taught school at Cochrane, Wisconsin for 3 years and for 34 years as a teacher and guidance counselor at Wisconsin Dells High School. He considered it a privilege to work with so many fine young people and dedicated colleagues for 37 years. He was an active member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, was president of the Holy Name Society and an usher for several years. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, a charter member of the Wisconsin Dells Junior Chamber of Commerce, a Boy Scout leader and assisted with Babe Ruth baseball. Don was proud of his affiliation with the Harold B. Larkin American Legion Post 187 since 1954, serving as adjutant for 2 years, vice commander for 1 year and finance officer for 20 years. He was business manager of the Stand Rock Indian Ceremonial, sponsored by the Legion Post, for 17 years and general manager for 3 years. He was a member of the honor guard since 1954 and was a pall bearer for a number of his deceased comrades. During his retirement he enjoyed playing cards with the “boys” at the Legion club. Don had married Marian Jacobson on June 5, 1948 at St. James Catholic Church in LaCrosse and they were blessed with 3 children; Donald Paul, Nancy Elizabeth and Mark Gregory. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marian, of 51 years; a son, Mark; and a great granddaughter, Ella Jane. Don is survived by a brother, James; a sister, Kay (Art) Brieske; a son, Donald P.; a daughter, Nancy (James) Schoppenhorst; grandchildren, Christi (Todd) Cleveland, Stacy (Will) Bauer, Kori (Chad) Severson, Jessica Schoppenhorst; great grandchildren, Caitlyn, Cody, and Carlie Cleveland and Avery Severson; and Marge, a very special friend.

The family would like to express its gratitude to Dr. Orkfritz and her nurse, Tara (Dells Clinic); Dr. Khuu and the entire oncology staff at Dean Specialty Clinic (Baraboo); and the staff at St. Clare Hospital in the emergency department, ICU, and staff on 2^nd and 3^rd floors.

Don will be sadly missed by his family. “Dad and Grandpa, we love you.”