Dean Merriel Skabo, 79, Grenora, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, at his home.

Friends are welcome to leave condolences and sign an online guest register at www.fulkersons.com.

His funeral service is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Grenora. Intern Pastor Dana Lockhart is officiating. Interment is in the Skabo Cemetery, northeast of Grenora. A family service open to the public is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Fulkerson Funeral Home Chapel, Williston.

Dean Merriel Skabo was born on April 8, 1930, to Iver and Palma (Norby) Skabo. He was raised and educated in Daneville Township in Divide County. He was baptized and confirmed at the Skabo Lutheran Church. He was an active member of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Grenora.

Dean helped his Dad farm until his Dad’s death and continued to farm for the next few years. He then went to California to work for Fruehauf Trailers. Dean returned to North Dakota and began working as a heavy equipment operator for Frank Olson Construction, doing road work in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and the Badlands of North Dakota. He also worked for a time at the Fortuna Air Force Base as a heavy equipment operator. In 1967, he began working at the John Deere Dealership in Grenora, where he worked until retiring in 2000. On June 15, 1963, he was united in marriage to Donna (Eide) at the Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Ambrose. Donna, who is a wonderful wife and mother, took such great care of our dad especially after his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease.

Dean enjoyed attending his children’s sporting events throughout the years and his grandchildren’s school and church programs. He enjoyed reading, woodworking and fishing. Dean also had a talent for drawing, especially horses. Treasured furniture came from his many woodworking talents. His love of gardening brought out the farmer in him and he loved sharing his harvest with family, friends, and neighbors.

Dean is survived by his wife, Donna, Grenora; two sons, Brian and his wife Nicole, rural Tioga and Kent, Williston; one daughter, Gayle and her husband Wayne Wiedrich, Williston; nine grandchildren, Brandon, Peyton and Ryne Skabo, Scott, Kurt, Alyssa, Olivia, Ty, and Anyka Wiedrich; five brothers, Marvin (Janet), Grenora, Allen (Carol), Dilworth, Minn., Vernon, Grenora, Donald (Jane) and Gary (Mary Ann), both of Williston; one sister, Delores (James) Holm, Great Falls; five uncles and four aunts; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; numerous aunts and uncles; three nephews; and one sister-in-law.

Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home, Williston from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and at the church one hour prior to services.