Funeral services for James H. Skaar, age 75, of Albert Lea will be held today at 2 p.m. at the Hayward Lutheran Church. The Rev. Katie Fick will officiate. Burial will be at the Hayward Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Jim died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012, at St. Marys Hospital.

Jim was born on Sept. 20, 1936, the son of Carlyle and Genevieve (Olson) Skaar. He attended and graduated from the Albert Lea High School in 1954. Jim was united in marriage to Nancy Black on June 12, 1954, at the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea. The couple were dairy farmers near Austin, rural Albert Lea and then in Hayward. They were caretakers of the Freeborn County Fairgrounds and James worked for Lou Rich in his retirement. He enjoyed fishing, showing and judging his Guernsey cows and sports of all kinds. He coached boys’ softball, Hayward youth wrestling and was a very avid Albert Lea wrestling fan. He was a former 4-H leader, a dairy judge, FFA member and a member of Lutheran Brotherhood and Hayward Lutheran Church. His greatest joy was his seven daughters and later his seven sons-in-law who he was proud to call his sons. He always said, “If you have all girls, the boys will come.”

Jim is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Dawn (Lowell) Nelson, Cherry (Kevin) Buttles, Diane (Bruce) Stundahl, Sue (Craig) Stundahl, Mary (Chris) Elleby and Deb (Dave) Janson; son-in-law, Paul Stieler; Andreia Vizeu, foreign exchange student/daughter from Brazil; 17 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Julie (Hank) Beaver; brother, Chris (Kay) Skaar; brother-in-law Robert Pecora and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, LaVonne Stieler, granddaughter, Jackie Nelson, grandson, Keith Stundahl, and sister, Janet Pecora.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Hayward Lutheran Church.