Steve Skalko

Funeral service for Steve Skalko, 94, of Gilbert, will be 3pm Thursday, August 25, 2016 at the Gilbert Community United Methodist Church in Gilbert. Pastors Bob Graham and Terry Tilton will officiate. Visitation will b one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Gilbert Cemetery. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Gilbert Community Church, 202 Wisconsin Ave. Gilbert MN. 55741 He died peacefully Monday, August 22, 2016 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living In Mt. Iron, with his family by his side. Steve was born on February 22, 1922, in Sparta Location to John and Mary (Sagen) Skalko, the 6th of 12 children. He graduated from the Gilbert High School in 1941. In 1944, Steve started working at Lake Mine retiring from Erie Mining Company in 1983. As a sideline business, he owned and operated Skalko Landscaping. On August 13, 1949, he married Helen Hnatko at the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Chisholm. They built their home on Highway 37 just outside of Gilbert, truly a family home. Steve especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren, always having words of wisdom and advice for them. Steve’s passion was landscaping and operating his equipment. He hauled his last load of dirt at the age of 91. He will be remembered for his love of family and his work ethic. Steve was a member of the Gilbert Community Church, the Eveleth Elks, and the Eveleth Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his children, Susan (John) Malevich, Gregory Skalko, Barbara (Robert) Kern, and Carol (Dan Soneson) Skalko. Grandchildren, Steven (Rebecca Steffen) Skalko, Sara (Lukas Amundson) Skalko, Matthew (Alicia) Malevich, Katie (Aaron) Erhardt, Bryan Kern, Brooke Kern, and Abbey Skalko. Great-grandchild, Lucille Pearl Amundson Brothers, Ed (Marian) Skalko, Bill (Mary Pat Cook) Skalko Sister-in-law, Lovey Skalko Numerous nieces and nephews He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 2007, his brothers, Frank, Mike, Matt, Dan and John, his sisters, Ann Granroth, Julia Bezek, Eva Holmes, and Ellen Drobnick. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Diamond Willow for their care and compassion during the last 3 years, and Essentia St. Mary’s Hospice for aiding him through his final days.