David A. Skroch

David Anthony Skroch, 74, was born at home in Sargent County North Dakota and passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday evening, May 4th, 2014, after a long battle with cancer all the while David's nurse, Greg, telling us to "love on your Dad".
David was fifth of seven children born to Ted and Margaret Skroch. His family lived and farmed on the shores of Lake Tewaukon in rural Geneseo, North Dakota. This is where David attended grade school at a one room country school house at Wood Lake. He graduated from Saint Francis Academy in Hankinson, North Dakota in 1958.
David enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1958. His military career had him working mostly as a journeyman electrician with the Civil Engineering Squadron. A milestone in his career was his work in Titan and Minuteman missile fields. David advanced in the military, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. Travel is always a part of active duty, taking him to North Dakota, South Dakota, a tour in Vietnam, Thailand twice and was fortunate enough to have lived in Japan with his family. His military career ended honorably when he retired in 1979.
On May 14th, 1960 David married Irene Mahrer in Forman, North Dakota. Together they were blessed with five children, Stephen, Michael, Jeffrey, Melodie, and Patrick. David was a devoted husband and a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather.
David started new interests after military retirement and began his course work to earn a BA in Industrial Arts and graduated in 1984 at Black Hills State University. David, not sitting still, started his second career returning to Ellsworth AFB as a civilian employee. He worked for another 27 years as an environmental control engineer with the Civil Engineering squadron at Ellsworth AFB.
David's faith and community service was always important and served many roles in church, including serving on parish council, ushering with his children, lay Eucharistic Minister, and numerous positions in the CCD program. He was always willing to share his electrical knowledge by helping family, friends and neighbors with electrical work they needed done.
His many interests and hobbies included gardening, fishing, camping, leatherwork, reading, and photography. He was a favorite at Turkey Camp with his skill in Dutch oven cooking. All of these things aside, his favorite thing to do was to spend time and play with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
"May My Work Speak for Me", (Author Unknown)
We are blessed to call our hero DAD, Stephen (Debby) Skroch, Phoenix, AZ, Michael (Lisa) Skroch, Bloomfield, NE, Jeffrey Skroch, Rochester, MI, Melodie (Jay) Dayton, Riverton, WY, Patrick (Elizabeth) Skroch, Rapid City and Honduras. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, Jessica (Mike) Behrend, Jamie (Jerrod) Rader, Benjamin, Anna, Andrew, Emily, Carly, Gabby, Joshua, Harry, and Samuel. He also had six great grandchildren, Hannah, Sophia, Nicholas, Haley, Katlyn, and Clark.
David is survived by his wife Irene; five children; eleven grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters, Mary Lipp, Annette Edgerton, Kathleen Schroeder, and Theodora (Peggy) RyLand, along with many Skroch and Mahrer relatives.
His family will miss his many antics, infectious jovial laugh and most of all his warm caring hands.
David is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Margaret; brother, Ronald; and an infant sister, Margaret.
Visitation was Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 6:00-7:00pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help with a Christian Wake Service starting at 7:00pm.
Mass of Christian Burial was Friday, May 9, 2014 at 10:00am at the Cathedral with Father Michel Mulloy officiating.
A visitation was held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 10:00am – 11:00am at Saint Martin's Catholic Church in Geneseo, ND with a rosary service starting at 11:00am. Burial followed at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Forman, ND with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to be made to Saint Mary's Cemetery in Forman, ND or Hospice of South Dakota.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City and Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt, SD.
Family and friends may sign David's online guestbook at kirkfuneralhome.com or at eggersfh.com