Dixon Darrell Skjod

Dixon Skjod of St. Francis passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at VA Health Care in St. Cloud at the age of 94.

Dixon Darrell Skjod was born November 5, 1930, to Christ and Nancy (Nyman) Skjod in Braham, MN. Dixon had two brothers, Dean and Layne, which have preceded him in death. Dixon attended a one-room school, District 29, for 8 years then transferred to Braham High School. After schooling he did ustom wood/log sawing and farmed the family farm. In 1952 he was drafted into the United States Army to serve his country during the Korean War.

He was released after the war was over in 1954. On his first trip back to MN after being released from the Army he met his wife-to-be Betty Peterson. They were married February 12, 1955 in Harris, MN. They have three children: Dennis, Gary and Sharon. Their first house was in Medicine Lake, MN then to Crystal, MN and in 1976 they bought a small hobby farm in Corcoran, MN. Here Dixon could get back to doing the things he loved--farming. He raised beef cattle, pigs, chickens, ducks and geese. He also planted corn and made hay for his animals. He loved to garden so planted apple trees, strawberries, raspberries and grapes. They joined St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover, MN. He loved to fish and hunt. You knew if you agreed to go fishing with him that would be an all-day affair or until you caught your limit. As a family you knew not to plan anything like a wedding or funeral at the opening of fishing, archery or rifle deer season. Those were "sacred" holidays and not to be messed with. He still brags about the over 100 deer he has shot with the bow during his many hunting trips in MN, WI and SD. He also made an elk Hunting trip to Colorado (but got no elk).

After several years of working for other contractors he started his own business, Dick's Water and Sewer, which he operated until his retirement in 1995.

Dixon's first trip after retiring was a "drive to Alaska" pulling a pop-up camper with a boat on top of it. Therefore, every night when we stopped first you unloaded the boat then set up the camper. Not exactly the best way to start your retirement we found out. We spent 3-4 weeks traveling the state of Alaska. We took a great trip to Sweden, Norway and Denmark (remember Dixon is Danish and proud of it). Shortly thereafter, we started spending our winters in Apache Junction, AZ and continued to for the next 22 years. When it took us three nights in motels to drive from AZ back to MN in the spring, we decided it was time to stay in MN. We sold the farm and moved to East Bethel, MN where we joined Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. It did not take Dixon long before he started tilling a plot for a garden and planting apple trees. We also joined the East Bethel Senior Center.

In 2020-21 Dixon started slowing down and in a couple of years we knew we had to move to a one-level house with no steps or stairs so we ended up at our present house in St. Francis, MN. Dixon was transferred to the VA facilities in St. Cloud in January 2024 where he resided until his passing June 10, 2025.

Dixon is survived by his wife Betty of 70 years; son Dennis (Cynthia) and their two daughters Stephanie and Dana (Chad); son Gary (Julie) and their three children Joey (Michelle) with their three children Jack, Scarlette and Lucas, Andy, and Chelsea (Tommy) with their two children - Hannah and Addie; daughter Sharon (Paul) and their three children Amy (Craig), Jeremy and Zachary; other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Christ and Nancy Skjod; and two brothers Dean and Layne.

Funeral services for Dixon: 11:00 AM; Monday, July 7, 2025 with time of visitation one hour prior to the service all at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of East Bethel. Interment will take place at the Danewood Cemetery in Nessel Township.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Dixon Darrell Skjod to:
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
19001 Jackson St NE
East Bethel, MN 55011

or

Any VA organization of your choice

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City, Olson Chapel.

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com