Diane Marilyn Skonard

Diane Skonard of rural Montevideo passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021 at her home at the age of 78.

Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 3 to 6 PM at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo.  A prayer service will be held at 6:00 PM.

Diane Marilyn Skonard was born in Milbank, SD on March 11, 1943 to Clarence “Casey” and Myrlee (Larson) Gothe.  She grew up in the Montevideo area and attended Montevideo Senior High School, graduating in 1961.  On the senior class trip she met John Skonard they were married on December 29, 1963.  John was serving the United States Navy so John and Diane would move to Tennessee and then to Norfolk, Virginia.  They would later return to Montevideo and move to a farm north of Montevideo, residing there for 54 years.  They had two children together, Cris and Heather.

Diane worked for Dr. Tom Collins, DC for 12 years and then for the Montevideo Schools for over 20 years as a special needs paraprofessional.  She loved to help the children at school and they loved her.    Diane was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Montevideo and then later Rock Haven Church in Montevideo. 

Family and friends remember Diane for her beautiful singing voice.  She sang at weddings, funerals, church and other events in the community.  She was a member of several choirs in the community including Sweet Adelines, Charisma Chords and the Community Christian Choir.  Diane enjoyed crocheting, coffee with her sisters and attending her grandchildren’s school events.

Diane is survived by her husband, John; children: Dr. Cris and Julie Skonard, Willmar, MN;  Heather and Steven Sulflow, Maynard, MN; grandchildren: David (Helen) Skonard, Willmar, Ashlie (Logan) Wigton, Willmar, Isaac (Jamie) Sulflow, Rochester, Grace (Bailey) Eickhoff, Willmar, Sarah (Brenden) Collins, Olivia, Noelle Sulflow, Maynard, Jonah Sulflow, Maynard; great-grandchildren: Harper and Rowan Sulflow, Emerson and Baker Eickhoff; sisters: Dawn Goulson, Montevideo, Mary Nell (Gregg) French, Montevideo; as well as several nieces, nephews extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Casey and Myrlee Gothe; mother and father in law, Julian and Esther Skonard; brothers-in-law: Dick Goulson, Lee Winge, and Ricky Richardson.

Blessed be her memory.