Carl M. Skurdal

Carl M. Skurdal, 93, passed away Sunday, April 8th in Eugene, Oregon. Carl was born on the family farm east of Williston, North Dakota, along with a twin sister on January 20th, 1925 into a family of 14 children to Anton and Anna Skurdal. He attended 8 years of rural school and graduated from Williston High School in 1944. He also attended the University of Oregon, in Eugene for one year. Carl was baptized in the Norwegian Lutheran Church in May of 1925 and confirmed in the First Lutheran Church in Williston, North Dakota in 1939. Carl was inducted into the Army in Los Angeles in 1945. He spent one year with occupation forces in Japan as a paratrooper. He made 6 jumps and had glider training while in Japan. Upon returning to the United States he farmed and worked as a lineman. He eventually operated an insurance agency for Farmers Insurance Group in Williston. He joined the Sons of Norway, a fraternal organization, in 1945 and was still an active member at the time of his passing. He served as a member and an officer, locally, in the District, and Internationally. On the 75th anniversary of the Bjarne Lodge #86 in Williston, he was presented with a custom-made shield for his years of service to the organization. The Sons of Norway International Board granted special permission to allow the shield to be made. Carl also made two trips to Norway during his life. He was a life member of the VFW and American Legion and was a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Billings Montana. Carl married Mamie Ruud in 1954. Together they had 3 children. Clay, Cory and Sara. Carl and Mamie divorced in 1971. In 1975 he married Arvella Brekhus and they made their home in Sidney, Montana. In 1997 Carl and Arvella moved to Billings. Carl and Arvella loved to dance and never missed an opportunity to take to the dance floor. After Arvella's passing in 2015 Carl moved to Eugene, Oregon where his son Clay lives. He enjoyed attending musical performances at the Shedd Institute and watching his favorite sport, baseball. He also enjoyed the weekly Sunday night poker game, along with playing cribbage and pinochle with friends and family. Carl is survived by his three children, Clay (Colette) Skurdal, their children Kendra Skurdal, Ian Skurdal and Lexie Skurdal; Cory (Robert Eblin) Skurdal and Sara Skurdal; five stepchildren, Pete (Agnus) Brekhus, Duke (JoAnn) Brekhus, Kit (Rita) Brekhus; Rock (Sharon) Brekhus and Holly Tuscher; 7 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; and over 40 nieces and nephews and their families. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Billings, Montana, or the charity of your choosing. Services will be Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2336 St. Johns Avenue, Billings, Montana.