Peter Walter Skille
1944-2025
Peter Walter Skille, 80, of Gilman, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Clark County Health Care Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 6, 1944, at Victory Memorial Hospital Stanley to the late Walter and Ragna (Bertensen) Skille. Pete grew up on the family farm with his four siblings and graduated from Gilman High School. He went on to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps. He completed basic training at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif., and served in the first battalion, 9th Marines on the U.S.S. Princeton, stationed in the Philippines and Vietnam.
After proudly serving in the Marine Corps for six years he worked at Presto in Eau Claire, ran a logging operation and farmed. He also helped to build Miller Dam. He married his soulmate Margaret “Peggy” Hendricks on July 12, 1980, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Cornell and together they farmed and raised their four children.
He received many honors in his farming career including conservation farmer of the year in 1993 and 1995, where he also won the 10-county region award for soil conservation. He enjoyed teaching classes about Native American artifacts and enjoyed coaching basketball and going to all his children and grandchildren’s sporting events. His life passions were hunting, farming and spending time with family and friends. Peter was blessed with the opportunity to go on the Honor flight and flew to Washington D.C. on May 21, 2018, to see all the monuments honoring our veterans.
Peter was an active member of the American Legion Post 0359. Pete was best known for his great sense of humor and could start up a conversation with just about anyone. He will be deeply missed by his wife and children.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Peggy; his four children, Jessica (Brad) Vircks, Jamie Skille (Jaimee Arneson), Jacob Skille, and Megan Skille (Adam Mudgett). His grandchildren, Bailee, Brady, Morgan, Ethan, Isaac, Axton; his three great-grandchildren, Naomi, Bentley and Gwendalyn; and his siblings, Don (Sue) Skille, Arlene (Gary) Steglish, Karen Loeb and Ardys (Ted) Wilz. Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ragna Skille.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Gilman Funeral Home with Rev. Beverly Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Hannibal Cemetery with full Military Honors by the Gilman American Legion. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Friday.
Pallbearers include Brad Vircks, Ethan Vircks, Brady Vircks, Adam Mudgett, Bill Hendricks, and Bob Hendricks.
Paid Obituary 167087
