Marvin C. Skaar

Marv Skaar passed away on May 13, 2010, at Fairview Medical Center in Redwing, MN at the age of 82. Marvin Clifford Skaar was born November 29, 1927 in Valley City, North Dakota to Evelyn and Martin Skaar. During his elementary school years the family moved to Moorhead, MN where he graduated from Moorhead High School in 1945 as a three sport letterman. Marv attended Concordia College for one quarter before enlisting in the Navy. After his first stint of serving his country, he returned to Moorhead State University where he earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and history. He later received his master's degree in physical education from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Marvin and Donna Jeanne Lunder were married on July 22, 1951 in Barnesville, MN. Marv started his teaching and coaching career in Lake City, MN before moving to Oakes, ND. This was the start of his legendary North Dakota coaching career. Marv and his family then moved to Grand Forks, ND where he coached basketball and golf at Central High School, and Grand Forks American Legion baseball. His 1967 team was the first ND team to compete in the American Legion Little World Series. The college ranks came calling in 1967 and Marv accepted the head basketball position at Moorhead State University. He coached the dragons until 1972. In 1973, he moved across the river to become the head coach of the Thundering Herd basketball team of North Dakota State University. He coached the Bison until 1979. While Marv is best known as a coach, his career as a soldier spanned more than 27 years. He served in the Army Reserve, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Marvin married Elizabeth Pierce on December 13, 1980. They enjoyed many summers taking in the views over Big Floyd Lake near Detroit Lakes, Lake Movil in Bemidji, and the Mississippi River in Red Wing. Marv loved to play, watch and read about sports. He was an avid golfer and headed up many tournaments over the years, including the Gordy Skaar Tournament in Bemidji. A highlight of Marv's year was always his annual pheasant hunting trip to Mott, ND with the boys. Marv's years of dedication to coaching were rewarded not only by lifelong relationships with his players, but also by being inducted into three different coaching halls of fame: The American Legion baseball hall of fame in 1982, the North Dakota High School Coaches hall of fame in 1994, and the Moorhead State University Dragon Hall of Fame in 1996. Marv's children and grandchildren were the joy of his life. Marv was preceded in death by his parents, Brother Gordon, and grandchildren Aiden and Owen Puppe. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth of Red Wing, MN; children Andrea Dean Rott of Fargo, ND, Mark Molly Skaar of Gilbert, AZ, Shelley Skaar of Wenatchee, WA, Jennifer Tom Reeves of Tuscon, AZ; step-children Michelle Shulse of Williamstown, MA, Jodi Doug Barlow of Red Wing, MN, Susan Mike Puppe, Northfield, MN; grandchildren Kari Opp, Kaitlin and Samantha Reeves, Leah and Andrew Skaar, Eric and Megan Shulse, Brian, Jack and Hannah Barlow, Brynn, Nora, and Ayla Puppe; and sister Gerri Lindell of Rancho Cucamonga, CA.