Harley E. Skogen, 96

Blue Earth – Long term Blue Earth resident, Harley Skogen, 96, died peacefully Tuesday Jan. 21, 2025 at St. Luke’s in Blue Earth, Minnesota. A Funeral Service for Harley Skogen is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Blue Earth. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment follows at Riverside Cemetery. Patton Funeral home is handling arrangements.

Harley Edwin Skogen was born June 19, 1928 on a farm near Frost, to Carl Henry and Anna (Anderson) Skogen. He spent five years of his early childhood near Centerville, South Dakota, before returning to the Frost area and graduating from Frost High School. His mother died in 1938. Previously an only child, he gained three step-siblings and later two half-sisters when his father married the widow Catherine Chilson in 1941.

Harley married Donna Dray Aug. 29, 1947. They raised their three children, Judith, Daniel, and Debra in Blue Earth. They were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Harley was a long-time delivery man of milk and dairy products to grocery stores in Minnesota and northern Iowa. A hard worker, he also had many part-time jobs including carpentry, movie theatre projectionist and school bus driver. After he retired, he was active in woodworking, several camping groups, owned various campers, visited many states, and had a vacation home in Arizona. Donna and Harley greatly enjoyed playing cards and taught many games to the family.

An outgoing personality, Harley was known and loved by many. He had no trouble greeting and talking to people wherever he was.

Harley is survived by children, Judith (Nelson) Aakre, Daniel (Susan) Skogen, and Debra (Bruce) Firkins; grandchildren, Richard Firkins, Teresa Firkins, Aaron Skogen, Rebecca Erickson and Nathaniel Skogen; 17 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; half-sisters, Beverly Kubik and Bonnie Dahl; and step-sister, Donna Jones.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna; and infant great-granddaughter, Danielle. In Lieu of memorials, please consider Trinity Lutheran Church or St Luke’s Care Center.