Birger Skistad, 88, rural Tioga, died peacefully at his home on Friday evening, Oct. 30, 2009, surrounded by loving family.

His funeral services are at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Tioga. The Rev. Rodger Olson and the Rev. Aaron Olson are officiating.

Cremation will follow the service. Friends may sign the online register book and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com.

Birger Melvin Skistad was born Dec. 26, 1920, to Olaf (Nagelhus) and Laura (Ellstad) Skistad at Ray. He was baptized in Temple, N.D., and was confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Tioga. He was raised and educated in the Tioga area graduating from Tioga High School in 1940.

Upon graduation he worked on a sheep ranch in Shelby, Mont., with his brother, Oscar. In the winter of 1941, Birger went to San Diego, Calif., where he worked at an aircraft factory commissary. He returned to the Tioga area and worked on several area farms. He attended the School for Radio and Electricity in Chicago, Ill., and in 1945, Birger began farming on his own in the Tioga area raising small grains.

On Oct. 17, 1965, Birger married Donna Rahlfs/Jones at Williston. The couple lived in Williston and Wheelock before moving to Tioga in 1970.

He loved all animals, especially his cat Dusty. Birger was proud of his children and loved and adored each of them along with all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Birger was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church and the Sons of Norway. He enjoyed music, traveling and was happiest fixing things around the farm. He loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, Tioga; sons, Dale (Toni) Jones, Tioga, Kyle (Sally) Skistad, Apple Valley, Minn., and Kory (Veronica) Skistad, Farmington, Minn.; daughters, Stormie (Butch) Remus, Villard, Minn., Pattie (David) Biwer, Osakis, Minn., and Lori Rowen, Hopkins, Minn.; 11 grandchildren, Chad Jones, Ric Wagner, Kim Severance, Kema Messenger, Kelly Skistad, Misty Skistad, Donavon Skistad, Danika Longshore, Kailey Longshore, Kristian Skistad and Bergen Skistad; 11 great-grandchildren, Dakota, Cassidy and Sydney Jones, Laurel, Mason and Montana Wagner, Jacob, Jordan and Jesse Severance, Timmy and Nick Messenger and special friends Linda and Scott Fifer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Oscar and Kjerulf.

Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home in Tioga on Monday from 12-6 p.m. and an hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.