Roy Melvin Skramsted

Roy Melvin Skramsted, age 88, of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, May 22, 2016, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND.

He was born October 3, 1927, in Kensington, the son of Edward D. and Alice (Lindgren) Skramsted. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Kensington and graduated from Kensington High School in 1945. While in high school, he lettered three years in basketball and baseball.

In 1945, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and was anchored off the coast of Okinawa on the troop’s ship under General Ernst for a while, then served with the 6th Division Quarter Master in the Occupation of Korea. Roy was honorably discharged on February 9, 1947, with the rank of Sergeant.

Following his discharge, Roy moved to Fergus Falls and worked for Star Cleaners and Frees Cleaners, before joining the Fergus Falls Police Department, where he served for 27 years, retiring on June 30, 1989. On May 26, 1951, he married Alvina Lemke.

On July 3, 1987, he married Betty Hanson Homes. Together they bought the Maple Leaf Resort, which they managed for 16 years, before returning to retire in Fergus Falls.

He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Minnesota Vikings and Twins and Gopher football and basketball teams. He held a private pilot’s license, saying it was more fun flying than golfing. He attended the EAA Fly In at Oshkosh, Wisconsin for over 20 years, taking up 551 passengers. Roy was a charter member of the original VFW Marching Drill Team and a life member of the VFW, Elks, American Legion and the Eagles.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Jesse, Bert, Vernon, Glen as an infant, and Leo; sisters, Lillian Thompson, Gladys Krienke and Lucille “Toots” Ogren.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Skramsted of Fergus Falls; children Pat (Ron) Harrison of Boise, Idaho, Becky (Jim) Wedll of Fergus Falls, Mary Homes of Erhard, and Ann (Jon) Gaustad of Underwood; 15 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; many nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law, Bea Skramsted of Fergus Falls.

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, May 27, 2016, at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls and will resume one hour prior to the service.
Service: 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 28, 2016, at the Olson Funeral Home Chapel
Clergy: Reverend Brad Soenksen
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls, MN
Military Participation: Fergus Falls American Legion Post #30 and VFW Post # 612