HURON — Marty Edward Skovlund, Sr., 52, beloved husband, father, and brother, joined his father Melvin, his mother Nellie, Father-in-law Ed, his sister Cindy, and his niece, Taylor in heaven Sunday, August 6, 2017. He passed away peacefully in the home he was raised in; the same home he raised his children in.
Marty was born October 3, 1964, in Huron to Melvin and Nellie (Cone) Skovlund. He was raised as one of seven siblings, and spent his time racing bikes around the block, engaging in bottle rocket fights, and frying donuts in his parents’ bakery— among many other hobbies and jobs during his youth.
After graduating from Huron High School in 1982, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve as an Ammunition Specialist. He graduated Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and would later go on a deployment to Germany to move WMD’s in support of the START negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union.
In 1986, he married Gay Marie Rudloff — the love of his life. They welcomed their first of five children into the world later that year. Marty went on to work at a variety of jobs, to include thirteen years as a diesel mechanic for the DM&E railroad. His final job was working for a sub-contractor on the Dakota Access Pipeline. He didn’t lead a life of comfort; he prided himself on the work ethic his father instilled in him, and never shied away from overtime or difficult conditions.
Marty was a man of many talents though. He wasn’t content with simply clocking in and clocking back out every day. He was an avid gardener, enjoyed reading Tom Clancy novels, started attending college in his 40’s, and took great pride in the fact that he had his prose published in both the Argus Leader and the Havok Journal. Above all, he was a devout Christian and a man who would do anything for his family.
He is survived by his mother-in-law, Rita Rudloff; wife and five children, Marty (Lauren) Skovlund, Jr., Cassandra (Michael) Skovlund, Joshua (Rhiannon) Skovlund, Stephanie Skovlund, and Molly Skovlund; and seven grandchildren, Sophia, Valerie, Able, Daphne, Lydia, Vivian, and Juliette (and another on the way!).
A funeral service to celebrate Marty Sr.’s life will be 11 a.m. Friday, August 11, at the American Lutheran Church in Huron followed by interment with military honors rendered by the Huron Veterans Council in Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Welter Funeral Home with a prayer service and time of sharing beginning at 6 p.m.; or visitation, one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday.
In keeping with Marty’s request, upbeat colored attire is requested (avoid black if possible).
In lieu of flowers, please consider an outdoor plant that could be planted in Marty’s yard.
Visit www.welterfuneralhome.com
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