Carol Vandella Skalman, 82, of Wadena, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at the Elder's Home in New York Mills.
She was born Dec. 24, 1926, to Otto E. and Ruby (Hjort) Nelson in Bowbells, N.D. She married Warren M. Skalman on June 25, 1950, in Kenmare, N.D. She will be remembered as a teacher in the Bertha-Hewitt Public School District. She also taught students in Minot and Fargo, N.D., and in the Wadena schools. After retiring she continued to substitute teach and tutor students. She remained involved in children's ministries -- touching the hearts and minds of children for more than 60 years. She was a member of the Wadena Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Alliance Women, Christian Women's Club, Bertha-Hewitt Education Association, Minnesota Education Association, and Minnesota Retired Teachers Association. She was a dedicated Hospice volunteer. She kept a lifelong interest in music.
Funeral services were held May 1 in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Wadena with the Rev. Vaughn White officiating. Pallbearers were Sara Parr, Steven Skalman, Christopher Kulish, Daniel Skalman, Andrew Skalman, and Sadia Parr. Interment was in the Wadena Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Johnson Memorial Home in Wadena ( www.johnsonmemorialhome.com ).
Survivors include her sons, Gary (Masumi) of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Robert (Ruth) of St. Louis Park, Minn.; daughters, Janelle (Marlowe) Kulish of Moorhead, and Diane Skalman of Wadena; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Marlys Leet of Minot, N.D.; sister-in-law, Pearl Nelson of Kenmare, N.D.; brothers-in-law Paul (Mabel) Skalman of East Gull Lake, and Robert (Patti) Carrelli of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and special caregiver, Audrey Davis of Ottertail.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren, in October 1963; her parents; stepmother, Maude Nelson; brother, LeRoy Nelson, father- and mother-in-law, Merrill and Sadye Skalman; brother-in-law, Glen Leet; sister-in-law, Bette Carrelli; and two nephews.
