Gerald "Jerry" Skjordal's Obituary
Gerald "Jerry" Skjordal, 83, of Ames, Iowa passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, in Gilbert, at his son's home. A gathering time will be 4-6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 24, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. Inurnment will be in Ames Municipal Cemetery. Gerald Skjordal was born in Roseau, Minnesota on December 4, 1940, the son of Casper and Kate Eldora (Harding) Skjordal. Jerry married Carol Rickard on August 29, 1959, in Watervliet, Michigan. They celebrated their 50th anniversary before Carol preceded him in death in 2009. The couple moved back to Gilbert, and later to rural Ames. Jerry worked at Iowa State University for 42 years before his retirement in 2000. He started as an apprentice carpenter at age 18, and it's been said that "heaven gained a great carpenter". He finished his career at ISU as a supervisor over the university's sub-contractors. Jerry enjoyed outdoor activities, especially hunting, fishing and camping. He enjoyed annual fishing trips to Canada with a group of guys, most of them his ISU family. They did bring the wives along one year--just the one. In recent years, he enjoyed 'scooping the loop' at Ada Hayden Park, often sitting in the parking lot soaking up the beautiful view and reading his mail. For the past seven years, he has enjoyed spending his winters in Colorado Springs. Affectionately known as Papa, Jerry was just that--a wonderful Papa to everyone. He is survived by his sons, John (Edna) of Gilbert, and Paul (Bonnie) of Ames; one daughter, Katy (Shawn Reeves) Skjordal of Dallas, Oregon; twelve grandchildren, Paul R., Joseph, Jerry, Adangia, Josh, Jessica, John, Johanna, Josselyn, Melinda, Amy, and Lucas, and fourteen great grandchildren; a sister, Patsy (Gary) Gunderson; in-laws, Arlo Wright, Marty Rickard, Janice Rickard, Mike and Nancy Rickard, and Nancy Hose; and his companion, Irene Smith ; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Carol, son Ken, and eight siblings, Ralph, Helen, Roy, Donald, Lyle, Kate, Donna and Casper. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the family for purchase of a memorial bench overlooking Ada Hayden lake. Online condolences may be directed to grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
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