Elmer Elwood Skar, 76, Minot and formerly of Crosby and Riverdale died on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the home of his daughter in rural Minot.

Elmer was born on March 25, 1932 in Crosby, ND to Einar and Angelina (Monson) Skar. He was reared and educated in Crosby and graduated from Crosby High School in 1950. He entered the U.S. Army on March 19, 1952. He served in Korea and received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal. Elmer received his honorable discharge on February 27, 1954 at Camp Carson, Colorado. He returned to North Dakota and resided in Riverdale where he was employed as a concrete foreman during the construction of the Garrison Dam.

Elmer married Shirley Lindteigen of Turtle Lake on June 9, 1957 in Turtle Lake, ND. They made their home in Minot and had resided at 106 21st St. N.W. since 1962. Elmer was employed as a letter carrier by the United States Postal Service for many years until his retirement in 1987. He carried the mail in the NW area of Minot for many of those years. Shirley died on September 29, 2008.

Elmer was a member of the First Lutheran Church, National Association of Letter Carriers, Eagles Aerie, and Moose Lodge. He enjoyed traveling in their motor home, spending time at Rice Lake, bowling, horseshoes, pool, playing the accordion and spending time with his grandchildren.

Elmer's loving family includes his children: Randi (Joel) Joersz of Washburn, Tracy (Russell) Billing and Jay (Jill) Skar both of rural Minot; grandchildren: Shane and Stephen Joersz, Sarah and Stephanie Billing, Harris Hanson, Jett, Jakob and Jase Skar; brothers: Allen Skar and Clayton Skar both of Minot and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sisters: Dorothy Skar and Elaine Cree and brother Donald Skar.

Service: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery - rural Mandan.
Visitation: Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
In lieu of plants and flowers memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church or to the ND Veterans Cemetery.