Donavan Skifstad went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 12, 2022. He passed surrounded by his loving family.
The oldest of seven siblings, he was born in Amery, Wisconsin, to Earl and LaVerne Skifstad. When he was eight years old, the family moved to Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada, where his dad entered the ministry. In 1951 at age thirteen, the family moved to Big Falls, Minnesota, where he later graduated from Littlefork-Big Falls High School in 1958.
After graduation, Donavan entered the U.S. Army Reserves in June 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1964. During his time in the reserves, he worked various jobs at a lumber yard until being hired by Boise Cascade in August of 1959.
In 1960 he married the love of his life Karen Kleppe in International Falls, Minnesota. His father, Pastor Earl Skifstad, performed the ceremony.
Often working two jobs, including substantial time with Baron Construction in Int’l Falls, he honed his carpentry skills as he helped repair, build and even move homes. After 25 years of working at Boise Cascade, the family moved to Walla Walla and shortly thereafter became members of the First Church of God (now known as Blue Mountain Community Church), where he faithfully served the rest of his life.
Donavan loved the Church and was hired there in 1988 as their maintenance/custodian and grounds keeper until his retirement.
He had a passion for cars and enjoyed many during his life. He also enjoyed music/singing, woodworking, biking, snowmobiling, and motorcycles. He was always there to help anyone, anytime, as he had tremendous carpentry skills, which were a blessing to many, including family.
Donavan was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Earl and LaVerne Skifstad, brother James Skifstad; sister-in-law Beth Skifstad.
He will be greatly missed by his wife of 61 years, Karen of Walla Walla; son Ron (Kim) Skifstad of Walla Walla; daughter Rhonda (Raymond) Partridge of Walla Walla; grandchildren Matthew Skifstad, Ariel Skifstad, and Alexys Partridge-Flippo; brothers, Jerry of Monroe, WA, Kevin (Debbie) Skifstad of Cloquet; Curt (Joanie) Skifstad of Walla Walla; sisters, Joan (Reynold) Lofgren of Littlefork, MN, Bonnie (Dennis) Clark of Prairie Grove, AR, sister-in-law Joy Skifstad of Esko MN; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
