***Updated Memorial Information:  Memorial donations received will help fund memorial benches in Finlayson, contribute to vital medical research and provide funding for a scholarship.
Donations can be sent to "Marian Skaff" in memo "In memory of Frank Skaff"  PO Box 273 Finlayson, MN 55735

Frank Skaff of Finlayson, MN passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the age of 80 years old.

He was born to Frank and Florence Skaff of St Paul, Minnesota on November 21, 1943. He grew up on Selby Avenue in Saint Paul, with his five siblings and graduated from Central High School in 1961. One of his highlights from his childhood was spending summers with his Abraham cousins in New Richland, MN.

He served in the Marine Corp after high school and met his beautiful wife, Marian Alleman whom he married in 1965. For the first few years, they lived in St Paul and Forest Lake prior to buying their farm in Finlayson in 1970. Frank was the manager of the Finlayson Co-op, was a lineman for North Pine Electric, taught many Ag-Horticulture courses and consulted for Extension and Detroit Lakes Technical College, and started many businesses - dairy farm, vegetable farming, strawberry, sunflowers, rental properties, and storage units.

Frank lived life to the fullest and strongly believed in public service. He served many years as the Kettle River Township Clerk, and then as Pine County Commissioner. He was a long time member of Peace Lutheran Church in Finlayson, where he served as an elder, trustee, usher, smelter, choir member and Sunday school teacher. He was a member of the Solomon's Lodge in Moose Lake and was honored to be a 33rd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite.

He enjoyed golfing over the years especially with his geezer buddies, loved music and dancing to Molly B, Statler Brothers and the Chmielewskis to name a few. He loved to travel with his family and friends, and had fun teasing everyone.

The true loves of his life were his family including his kids, grandkids and his farm which he desperately wanted to come home to. He was comforted knowing it will be staying in the family. He fought so courageously with several health issues over the last years of his life. He was heartbroken when he realized that he was most likely not going to be able to make it back home and to leave his family. However - he knew that Jesus was calling him home to heaven- no more pain, no more worries - only pure glory.

Frank is survived by his wife of 58 years Marian Skaff of Finlayson, children Cyndy (Bruce) Cohen of Chaska, Craig (Shelly) Skaff of Finlayson, Candy (Ray) Smith of Bloomington and Curtis (Sheila) Skaff of Cottage Grove; 5 grandchildren - Ricky Skaff, Randy Skaff, Samantha (Sam) Smith, Evan Smith and Adalena Skaff; sisters - Deanna Canavati, Doreen Skaff; brothers - Jerry, Dean and TJ Skaff; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Florence Skaff.

Frank's funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 31, 2024 at the Finlayson Community Center officiated by Rev. Wendy Hjelmberg. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service as well as Thursday, May 30th 6:00-8:00pm at the Finlayson Community Center beginning with a Masonic Memorial for the first 20 minutes - all are welcome.  Private burial will be held at a later date. He will be deeply missed. May his memory be eternal.