Joe R. Skinner

Joe (Joie) Ray Skinner was born January 27, 1931, in Goldfield, Iowa, to Roland W. and Nellie (Hinton) Skinner. He graduated from Goldfield High School with the “Class of 1948”.  He attended Electronics, Radio and Television School in Omaha, and worked for the Boeing Aircraft Company, Wichita, Ks in 1949.  Joe proudly served his country in the Korean Conflict as a member of the 2nd Infantry Division, U.S. Army.  Upon his honorable discharge, he attended the University of Iowa and has been a Proud Hawkeye ever since.  Joe began work as a United States Postal Clerk in 1955, and continued that work until 1969, when he became a Rural Carrier retiring from the Post Office in 1992. Joe was a passionate supporter of community involvement.  He worked as City Clerk for 14 years and Mayor for 8 years.  He was a board member of the Wright County American Heart Association and taught American Cancer Society Quit Smoking Clinic.  He was one of the founding members and part of the “Hands On Crew” that built Oakridge Recreation Golf Course. He was the oldest surviving veteran in Wright County and was a 74-year active member of the Goldfield American Legion Post. 

     Joe was a good athlete and sportsman.  He played baseball in high school, at the University of Iowa, and with the American Legion. He enjoyed basketball, bowling, and golf.  “Better to be Lucky than Good” he got a Hole-in-One and was one of few players that can say that they “Shot their Age” —scoring a 92 when he was 92 years old!  He was always an avid fisherman and hunter enjoying God’s wonderful out-of-doors, to the fullest extent.  He was active in the Boy Scouts and served as Scoutmaster for 20 years.   He credits Greg Soenan and Orville Steffenson with helping to spearhead the removal of the old wooden dam (that his father before him had implemented as a conservationist) and install the rolling rapids in the transformation of the River Park.

     Joe enjoyed music.  He played saxophone in school and greatly enjoyed being an active member of the Fort Dodge Harmony Brigade Barbershop Chorus as well as participating in various quartets including the Lake Lutheran Church Men’s Quartet.  Anyone who knew Joe also knew that he always carried a harmonica with him and loved to play a little tune and tell a joke to brighten someone’s day.

     He married the love of his life, Phyllis Chantland, on June 14, 1959, and they would have celebrated 67 years this anniversary.  Into this marriage came two sons and he was the perfect dad to his boys.   He was always a concerned caring father, being active in all school, scouting and church activities in which his sons were involved.

     Joe passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Clarion Wellness and Rehab in Clarion, Iowa at the age of 95 years.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Garnette DuPont and Cleo Hough.

     Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Skinner; sons: Dr. Kurt Skinner and wife, Dr Linda Hsu of Stockton, CA and Ken Skinner and Anne Radechel of Humboldt; grandsons: Derek and Dylan Skinner with special recognition to Jackie Hill, Ian Oliver, and Mikya Oliver.

     The family would like to give a Special Thank You to the staff and doctors of the Iowa Specialty Hospitals, the team at Clarion Wellness and Rehab, and the Hawkeye Healthcare shuttle drivers.

     A Memorial Service will be held on June 13, 11:00 a.m. at Lake Lutheran Church - 3250 190th St Goldfield, Iowa 50542 - where he was an active member. Visitation is June 12, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Eagle Grove.  Burial with military honors will be at Glenwood Cemetery, Goldfield, following the memorial service.  A luncheon will be held following the graveside services at the American Legion Hall – 509 N Main St. in Goldfield.

      Memorials may be left to the American Heart Association - https://www.heart.org