Joseph Milton

Joseph L. "Skip" Milton, 80, Kindred, ND, formerly of McLeod, ND passed away on Friday, July 20, 2012 at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 25, at 1:00 PM at St. Paul's Free Lutheran Church, 2802 12th Street South, Fargo, ND with Pastor Lee Hoops and Pastor James Fugleberg officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5 PM to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Nordmanna Cemetery, Rural McLeod, ND. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.

Skip was born on April 21, 1932 in Stratford, IA to Joseph and Lillian (Thorsen) Milton. He attended high school in Wahpeton for two years until his family moved to McLeod, ND in 1947. He finished high school in Lisbon, ND and attended NDSU in Fargo for two years where he was on the Dean's List.

Skip was united in marriage to Viola Hakanson of McLeod on August 24, 1952 and began ranching in the McLeod area. He was active in local government and several organizations, as well as the church. He served as Director of the ND Stockman's Association and was an Advisory Council Member. Skip served as director and chairman for 12 years of the Kindred Co-op Oil Company. He was past secretary/treasurer and deacon of the United Free Lutheran Church, and held several positions in the state Gideon's Association and was a local Gideon camp president and secretary. He was director of the Sheyenne Valley Grazing Assoc., chairman of the Tri-Township Drain Committee, served as township supervisor for 12 years, and was director of the Richland County Township Officers Assoc. He was president of the Wyndmere PTO, was a school board member for Sheyenne Township, and was chairman of Sheyenne Valley Producers. He has also served as chairman of the 27th District Republican Party. He served as president for the "Save Sheyenne Valley" organization and president of the McLeod Historical Preservation Society (Museum). Skip also served as chairman of the Governor's Advisory Council on Red River flood control, and was a board member on NDSU's Albert Eckre Ranch Advisory committee.

After Skip retired from ranching for over 40 years, he was employed by North Dakota Job Service in Wahpeton for eleven years as a job placement coach. In 1995, Skip received an outstanding service award from the state of North Dakota for his work with Job Service. He retired in 2002. Skip and Viola moved to Kindred in October of 2007.

Skip was an avid sports enthusiast (especially NDSU football and girl's athletics) and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Skip is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Viola; three daughters, Viki (Brian) Juliot, Eau Claire, WI, Wanda (Daniel) Biesheuvel, Bismarck, ND, Sherry (Mike) Estrem, West Fargo, ND; seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Lisa) Juliot, Suzanne (Tony) Engedal, Micah (Chelsey) Juliot, Annie and Ryan Bieshuvel, Drew (Chelsea) Estrem, and Kristen (Vernon) Eberly; five great grandchildren, Trinity and Amara Engdal, Wyatt and Emma Juliot, and Chelsie Hall; one sister, Lola (Gary) Lindquist; and one brother, David (Cynthia) Milton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lillian Milton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice.