Steven R. Skarin

Steven R. Skarin

1954 – 2024

IDA GROVE - Steven Ray Skarin, 69, of Ida Grove, passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove. 

Per Steven’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com.

Memorials in Steven’s name may be directed to the Horn Hospice of Ida Grove, who were instrumental in the comfort not only of Steven but of his family during his final days.

Steven Ray Skarin, the son of Elmer J. and Lauretta F. (Dittmer) Skarin, was born on Sept. 16, 1954, in Cherokee. He grew up in Arthur and received his education from Odebolt-Arthur High School graduating with the class of 1972. After high school, Steven went on to further his education at Northwest Missouri State University where he received a B.S. in Education.

On Aug. 9, 1975, Steven was united in marriage to Sherri Jo Schmidt at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove. The couple was blessed with three children: Jason, Matt, and Lindsey. Over the years, the family made their homes in Spencer and Decorah, as well as Omaha, Nebraska. Steven spent 30 years with Universal Underwriters Insurance Company where he worked in all aspects of the insurance business. In 2021, Steven and Sherri returned to Ida Grove to enjoy their retirement. 

Steven was an avid coin collector and enjoyed playing cards with his fellow “card club” friends multiple times a week. He could be found chopping wood for his fireplace, tending to his garden, as well as hunting and fishing. Steven loved traveling and anything Western related….books, TV shows or movies. But the thing he was most proud of was his family. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. 

On April 6, 2024, Steven chose to have a living celebration of life so he could spend his last days enjoying time with family and friends. He wanted it to be a happy event, not a time of mourning.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife Sherri Skarin of Ida Grove; children Jason Skarin (Brita Nelson) of Decorah, Matt (Carissa) Skarin of Cedar Falls, and Lindsey (Zach) Branstetter of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren Morgan, Moriah, and Mahryn Skarin, Colton and Cade Branstetter; brother Lynn (Amy) Skarin of Mitchellville, Iowa; sisters Cheri (David) Jespersen of East Lansing, Michigan and Karen (Bruce) Miller of Mason City; sisters-in-law Sheryl (Randy) Goodman of Battle Creek, and Colleen Lainhart of Liberty, Missouri; brother-in-law Merle Schmidt of Ida Grove; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Lauretta Skarin; as well as his grandparents.