Newell Skeie

Newell Berkley "Teak" Skeie was born on November 23, 1929, in Montevideo, the son of Newell G. and Clara B. Skeie. He was baptized on February 16, 1930 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo. His family moved to Granite Falls, where he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Granite Falls Lutheran Church.From the age of 11, Teak spent his summers visiting and working on the Kvistero farms south of Granite Falls. He graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1947 and worked in Willmar at Habicht's Clothing Store.On December 2, 1950, Teak was united in marriage to Eunice Lund at Saron Lutheran Church in rural Maynard. They resided in Willmar until 1951. Teak was employed by several power line contractors as a lineman until 1953, when he began work with Northern States Power Company. This he did until 1963 when he transferred into the NSP Power Plant in Granite Falls, working as a Dispatcher Operator and Plant Electrician until his retirement in 1987.Teak was a man of great faith and lived his life accordingly. He was a faithful member of Granite Falls Lutheran Church, where he sang in the church choir, ushered, served on the church council and organized Bible school recreation. He enjoyed participating in Bible studies and also sang in the Montevideo, Milan and Appleton chorus groups. Teak enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, camping, reading, playing the guitar and singing. He loved spending time with his family and friends.Following a courageous battle with cancer, Teak was called peacefully from this life while at home, in the loving presence of his family. He was 82 years of age.Surviving family include his wife Eunice of Granite Falls; daughter LeAnn (& Paul) Korpal of Odessa; sons Steven (& Cheryl) Skeie of Endeavor, WI; Michael (& Connie) Skeie of Granite Falls, and Jeffrey (& Lori) Skeie of Marion, IA; grandchildren Kristine Burdick, Jessica (& Ryan) Bankson, Katie (& John Wayne) Farber, Crystal Skeie, Ryan Flood and Clayton Skeie; sisters Wanda (& Vernon) Bigham of North Mankato, Pauline (& Floyd) Mattheis of Greenville, NC and Marjorie (& Richard) Loewe of Granite Falls; sisters-in-law Ann Skeie of N. St. Paul and Ruth Skeie of Spooner, WI; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Glenn and Marlin and a grandson- Wesley Gene Burdick.