Harry Clifford Skogstrom, Jr.
Dec. 10, 1930 — Sept. 27, 2016
Harry Clifford Skogstrom, Jr. (know always as Cliff) 85, passed away on Sept. 27, 2016, at his home in Green Valley, Ariz. He lived a long and happy life with family and friends who loved him.
Cliff was born Dec. 10, 1930 in Aryshire, to Vivian and Harry Skogstrom. The family moved to Algona, where Cliff graduated from Algona High School in 1948. In high school, Cliff was a four-sport letterman and a baseball standout, having been scouted by the Chicago White Sox.
Cliff enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Newfoundland and Louisiana. After the service, he attended the University of Iowa, was active in his Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in 1956. In 1958, Cliff earned his Masters in Geology from the University of South Dakota. Cliff and his first wife, Madonna McGuire Ryan, were married in 1956 and raised two daughters.
In Algona, Cliff owned and operated a successful Ready Mix Company and was very active in his community, including leadership roles in the Shriners and Masonic Temple.
In 1981, Cliff sold the Ready Mix plant and moved to Green Valley, Ariz. Before moving there permanently, Cliff worked with E-Systems in California as a consultant for the Los Angeles Police Department.
In 1984, Cliff moved to Green Valley, Ariz., where he was a real estate agent until his retirement. Cliff met his wife, Peg, in 1990, and they married two years later, blending their families of four girls — Paula, Karlin, Jane and Joan. The two shared their love for dancing and traveling with friends. Cliff was very active in the Green Valley Elks Lodge, where he rose to the position of Exalted Ruler (1995-96).
Those left to honor Cliff’s memory include his beloved wife, Peg Skogstrom of Green Valley, Ariz.; his four daughters: Jane M. Skogstrom (Michael Sipe) of Minneapolis, Minn.; Paula Hutchins of Yuma, Colo.; Joan L. Skogstrom (Philip Pitzen) of Urbandale; Karlin Thyfault (Jamie) of Fort Collins, Colo.; his nine grandchildren: Jessica Ruth (Alan); Susan Pitzen; John Sipe (Tiffany); Jacob Kuyper; Brandon Hutchins (Lindsey); Brian Hutchins (Shelly); Aubrie Hutchins; Cassie Collins; and Joseph Thyfault; his four siblings: Chloris Kennedy (Jim), Darlene Kinsey, Dave Skogstrom (Jan) and Tom Skogstrom (Steve Pauling); and by his numerous and wonderful great-grandchildren.
In honor of Cliff and in lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Clifford H. Skogstrom Memorial for the creation of an Algona High School baseball-softball scholarship in Cliff’s name. (CHS Memorial, 2471 Deer Creek Trail, Urbandale, IA 50323).