Ethel Skalicky

Ethel Skalicky, 97, of Grand Forks, ND passed away November 19, 2010. Ethel was the loving wife of Clarence Skalicky, (deceased), and mother of Ronald Skalicky and Norman Skalicky, St. Cloud Minnesota. Ethel had 12 grandchildren, 18, great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren. Ethel was born to Mary and Joseph Trenda on April 8, 1913 in Grafton North Dakota. She had four brothers, Dorn, Joseph, Ludwig, Charles, and one sister Anezka. Ethel married Clarence Skalicky in 1930 and they celebrated 72 years of marriage at the time Clarence passed away. Ethel lived most of her life on the farm near Michigan until she and Clarence retired in 1969. After retiring from farming, Ethel and Clarence moved their home to Lakota, while wintering in Mesa Arizona. Ethel loved being with her husband and their friends golfing, playing cards each winter in Mesa. They drove each way from North Dakota to Arizona until their late 80s. Ethel will be remembered as industrious and resourceful both on the farm and in the home. But, mostly, she will be remembered as a loving, thoughtful, kind and caring wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. The people she touched throughout her life will remember her for her quiet, gentle strength, her kindness and speaking well of others and her generosity in simple practical ways. In the early years, she worked in the fields driving truck and combining and also cheerfully cooking meals to bring to the field workers. When her family grew, she cared for her granddaughters, skillfully sewing their dresses, coats and costumes. All her life, she cared for friends and neighbors and always presented herself with grace. After her loving husband Clarence died, she moved to Parkwood Place Apartments where she attended chapel each Thursday. In her later years her pastimes were spending time with family, bingo, playing cards and reading the Grand Forks Herald. Ethel is survived by her sons Ronald Skalicky, wife Barb, Grand Forks and Norman Skalicky, wife Gina, St. Cloud MN. Grandchildren include Sandi Skalicky McDougall, husband Paul Schierberl, Fort Myers, FL, Judee Borchert, husband Kevin Weis, Fargo, Pam Nikle, husband Jeff, Fargo; Randy Plutowski, wife Felicia Howe, IN; Julie Plutowski, Daytona Beach, FL; Merri Plutowski, Grand Forks; Bekki Belgarde, husband Roger, Bellevue NE; Barbie Anderson, husband Sam; Hope Mills, NC; Cheryl Ryan, Elk River, MN; Jan Hanson, husband Dennis, Sartell, MN; Jeffrey Skalicky, Avon MN; and Kelly Skalicky, NY, NY; Ethel was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her parents; brothers and sister Anezka Trenda.