Gary Skorheim

Gary Norval Skorheim, age 87, of St. Louis Park, MN, formerly of Breckenridge, MN, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2021, at The Estates of St. Louis Park. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021, from 10 AM to 11 AM, followed by his 11 AM memorial service at Bethel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton, ND. Pastor Jake Dyrhaug will officiate the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Gary was born on December 13, 1933, in Hannaford, ND, to Oscar and Mildred (Pierson) Skorheim. He lived in Hannaford until the 9th grade when his family relocated to Wahpeton, ND. Gary graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1951. He furthered his education at North Dakota State College of Science for 2 years before enlisting in the US Navy. He trained as a pilot in Pensacola, FL and San Diego, CA. He did his aircraft carrier landing check out on the CV Enterprise his uncle served on in WWII. He served his active duty in the Philippines with the seaplane squadron V.P. 46.

On May 29, 1968, Gary was united in marriage to Mary Olsen, in Minneapolis, MN. They lived in Minneapolis from 1968 to 1990. To this union, they had one son, Scott. Gary and Mary separated, and he returned to ND. He lived in Fairmount, ND, for 5 years before purchasing a home in Breckenridge.

Gary enjoyed writing poems. He even has a poetry book published! He loved sailing, singing tenor solos at church, and spending time with family when he could.

Gary is survived by his son, Scott (Naomi) Skorheim; stepchildren, Timothy (Julie) Leslie and Susanne Leslie; sister-in-law, Patricia Skorheim; and several family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; parents, Oscar and Mildred; brother, James; and sister, Janet.