In Loving Memory of

THOMAS EDWARD SKJONSBERG

December 22, 1948 – June 30, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Thomas Edward Skjonsberg on Friday, June 30, 2023, after a valiant battle with kidney failure.

Tom was born on December 22, 1948, to Edward & June Skjonsberg in Bentley. He lived in Bentley with his two sisters, Sue Melnyk and Sandra Williams until they moved to Edmonton in 1959 where he attended Lawton Junior High School.

In 1963 Tom started his 17½ year career with Coca-Cola, Hostess Frito-Lay National Sales in Edmonton and Fort McMurray. Tom then started a 23 year long venture by starting McMurray Coins and the vending machine business with his partners, Norm Dube, and Ron Ulliac.

While in school, Tom met Sonnia (Strap), and they were married September 9, 1972, going on to have two sons, Ty, and Lee. After Sonnia’s passing, Tom married Trudy (Seykora) on May 21, 2011.

Tom and Sonnia moved to Red Deer in 1991 and Tom would commute to Red Deer from Fort McMurray on weekends until his semi-retirement in 2003. At this point, Tom spent his time on his other passions, restoring Mopar cars, and racing.

He had a warm, happy-go-lucky demeanor and created a family of friends here and abroad whether at the racetrack, car shows, auctions, or organizing his nut & bolt restorations. When home, you would find him at his shop tearing down parts cars for the next swap meet.  Tom always knew where to find the Mopars to restore, and he could spot them miles away on his many road trips. At one point, Tom had 56 restored Mopars in his various storage facilities.  He became known as Mr. Mopar, and he earned that distinction honestly.  If one needed some advice on a car they were rebuilding, or looking for parts, or wanting to know if a car was numbers matching or just a good buy, they would always call Tom!  By the enormous number of trophies Tom has had from both racing and car shows, it is abundantly clear that not only was this his passion, but he excelled at it.

Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife Trudy, his son Lee (Krista), daughter-in-law Val, his stepson

Ken Boser (Farrell), his grandchildren, Kyler, Domonic, Carter, Mackenna, Logan, his sister Susan Melnyk (Doug), and his sister Sandra Williams.  Tom was predeceased by his father, stepmother and mother, his wife Sonnia, and his son Ty.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 24th, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Living Stones Church (2020 40 Ave, Red Deer, AB).

If desired, memorial donations may be made the the Red Deer Hemodialysis Unit.

 

Donating to the Red Deer Hemodialysis Unit

Information for families who would like to donate specifically to the Red Deer dialysis unit in honour of a deceased patient.

1. Writing out cheques
   1. All cheques must be written out to Red Deer Regional Health Foundation
   2. In the memo section write: Red Deer Dialysis Unit – “patient’s full name”
   3. Cheques can be dropped off at the Foundation office or mailed to the hospital address c/o Red Deer Regional Health Foundation
2. Giving online
   1. They can go to: www.rdrhfoundation.com
   2. Important: Click on “Ways to Give” not the “Donate Now” button
   3. Select “Memorial Giving”
   4. Select “One time donation” or the other one if relevant
   5. Select “In Memory Of”
   6. Type in the patient’s full name
   7. Important: type “To Red Deer Dialysis Unit” in the “Additional Information” section

(this is crucial to ensure the money goes to the right location)

3. Giving donation at the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation office
   1. Office is open Monday to Friday until 4:30 p.m.
   2. Cheques can be dropped off
   3. They also have a Interac machine
4. Phoning in donation
   1. They can phone the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation at 403-343-4773
   2. They can accept Credit Card payments over the phone

• Date : 2023-06-30
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home