KINGS — Arlene Lois Skaar, 95, of Kings, Illinois, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024 after a long and fulfilling life. She was surrounded by family.

Arlene was born on the family farm in Esmond, Illinois on November 12, 1928, to the late Levi and Anna (Askeland) Johnson. She attended Rochelle Township High School.

Arlene was a hard worker and loved to spend time tending to her farm. There was no place like home on the farm for her. She delighted in being outside and planting flowers in her garden, especially geraniums. She was a talented seamstress and a remarkable cook. She would prepare delicious applesauce/cider and bake unforgettable pies from her apple orchard. Her fresh baked pies were often the sought after favorite at the local farmers market. Traveling was also a passion for Arlene. Besides cruising around Norway with her dear sweet husband, she loved to travel to California and Arizona. She also traveled to Spain and Mexico. She spent many weekends with family in Wisconsin. She was very active in her Circle Group at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois. But most of all, her favorite thing in life was to be surrounded by family. Leading through example, she taught us that having a strong faith and family were so important in life.

One of Arlene’s favorite stories to tell was how proud she was to be engaged to her sweetheart, Robert Skaar, when she was still in high school. They kept it a secret until she graduated from Rochelle Township High School. They married on June 18, 1949, built their own home and started a family. Tuesday, June 18 marks their 75th wedding anniversary and we know they are dancing together in heaven. They were actively involved in church as well as 4-H as a family. Losing Robert in 1988 was very difficult, filled with heartache.

Arlene is survived by her four children: son, Gary (Judi) Skaar, of Balsam Lake, WI; three daughters: Diane (Harold Dirksen) Graham of Stillman Valley, IL, Nancy (Rod) Hendrick of Rockford, IL, and Suzy (Jack Wroclawsky) Skaar of Goodyear, AZ; ten grandchildren: Nikki (Chris) Yesbeck, Rob Skaar, Mike (Heidi) Skaar, Jennifer (Rick) Chamness, Jeremiah (Kristi) Graham, Andrea Graham, Jasmun Hendrick, Reiner Hendrick, Eliana Wroclawsky and Annika Wroclawsky; 15 greatgrandchildren: Madison, Ryan, and Michael Yesbeck, Kennedy and Leo Skaar, Makaela, Gabrielle, Alexander, Matthew, Kristoffer, and Jonathon Chamness, Caroline, Carter and Chase Graham and Christian Graham; and one great great granddaughter, Everleigh Chamness, and another on the way. She also has many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Skaar, brothers: Robert and Harold Johnson, son-in-law, Ed Graham, sister-in-law, Ann Johnson and granddaughter, Valerie Anne.

The family would like to give special thanks to everyone at Pinecrest Community Nursing Home in Mount Morris, IL, as well as Serenity Hospice and Home, for lovingly assisting Arlene through her final days of life.

Gravesite burial to be held at 9:00 A.M., Monday, June 24, 2024 at White Rock Cemetery, Kings, IL.  Memorials may be made in Arlene’s memory to Serenity Hospice and Home.  Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.