Carol Lynne Helen (Griese) Skala

Carol Lynne Helen (Griese) Skala, age 84, died February 11, 2025, following complications of Alzheimer’s. Carol was born on April 8, 1940, to Orville and Thelma (Derus) Griese in Appleton, WI. She graduated as salutatorian of the Class of 1958 in Kimberly, WI High School and attended the Appleton, WI School of Business. She worked as a secretary at Kimberly-Clark Corporation until she married Joseph E. Skala in 1961 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Kimberly.

Following a few years as a wife and mother in Highland Park, IL, she and Joe moved to Ely, MN in 1964 where they owned and operated Squaw Bay Resort on Fall Lake. Following the sale of the resort in 1982, they rented cabins near their home. Carol was an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed golf, reading, knitting, baking and many years of belonging to a women’s investment club. Most of all, she loved being with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Noel (Kathie) Griese and brother-in-law Frank Skala. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Joe, daughters Vicky (Paul) Cherne of Shoreview MN, Valerie (Bob) Walker of Elburn, IL and Sarah (Stephen Brandt) Skala of Ely. She was greatly loved by her three grandchildren Tony (McKenzie Hofmann) Cherne, Mary (Garett) Schoenfelder, and John Cherne and great-granddaughter Greta Schoenfelder.  Also survived by her Derus cousins, a nephew and four nieces and very special friend Vicki Wagner of Ely.

Thanks to the medical staff at Essentia Clinic – Ely, Esssentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice East Range Team, Carefree Living – Ely and Ely Bloomenson Hospital for their wonderful care. Mass will be celebrated privately at St. Anthony’s with inurnment at the Ely Cemetery. Memorials preferred to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church or donor’s choice. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

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