Stanley "Stan" J.
Skalka
Stanley “Stan” J. Skalka, 89, of Grand Island, died February 11, 2010 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.
Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 15, at St. Leo’s
Catholic Church in Grand Island.
Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at St. Leo’s Catholic Church with a Prayer Vigil at 5:00 p.m. All Faiths Funeral Home of Grand Island is serving the family.
Stan was born on June 18, 1920 the son of Albert Sr. and Mary (Karmazin) Skalka in Clay County, near Deweese, NE.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Marge; children and their spouses, Sandie and Mike Bernt of Columbus, Randy and Marla Skalka of Doniphan, Sherry and Dale Huffman of Grand Island and Janie and Pat Vipond of Gretna; sister, Margaret Nims of Long Beach, CA and brother, Ivan Skalka of Deweese.
He is also survived by ten grandchildren and their spouses, Meghan and Anthony May, Danielle Bernt and fiancé Collin Wagoner, Gabe and Amy Skalka, Dylan and Angela Skalka, Drew Skalka, Dalyn and Alan Novak, Jenna Huffman, Kristen Vipond, Tom Vipond and Colin Vipond; four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Leo and Alfred.
Stan grew up in Clay County, attending Ideal and West Buffalo Schools. He graduated from Deweese High School in 1937. Stan entered the United States Army on July 29, 1942 serving in the Army Air Corps until he was honorably discharged on December 8, 1945 He was a flight mechanic, enrolled in pilot school until it closed and was a B-29 flight engineer.
Stan was united in marriage to Marge Dobesh on April 7, 1948 at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Deweese. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in Ericson and ranched for 28 years. They raised Herefords and registered shorthorn cattle. They also had a Grade A Dairy.
Stan had the 7-piece ‘Eddie Stan’ Orchestra from 1955-1962. He was very active as a 4-H leader for 19 years. He taught and organized the second only 4-H Marching band in Nebraska. They attended the State Fair for three years and his children fondly remember Saturday evening concerts in Ericson.
He was a past member and past president of Wheeler Central School board, a member of Wheeler County Extension board and the fair board. He was also a member of American Legion and Honorary Life Member of Knights of Columbus. After retiring to Grand Island in 1976, Stan enjoyed going to farm sales, collecting antiques and tools, restoring cars and exhibiting gas engines at farm machinery shows. Stan loved flower gardening, nature and spending time with his grandchildren.
Memorials are suggested to St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Fine Arts
Guild of Central Catholic High School, the Speech/Drama/Instrumental
Music Departments of Columbus Scotus Central Catholic High School or
donor’s choice.