Ann Skoglund

1942-2024

Posted

Ann Skoglund, 82, of Hastings, died early in the morning on Dec. 25, 2024. Ann cherished Christmas, and her family chooses to believe that she hung on until she could experience the holiday one last time before departing to spend the rest of the day with her deceased husband and family members.

She was born on February 28, 1942, to Milo McWilliams and Mary Jo (Hummer) McWilliams in Cherokee, Iowa. Her family moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where Ann graduated from Ottumwa Heights Academy–notwithstanding the fact the school building burned down during fire prevention week and her class needed to relocate to buildings at the Ottumwa Municipal Airport. She grew up working at her father’s drugstore in Ottumwa. Ann began college studies at Ottumwa Heights before transferring to and graduating from Saint Louis University. After college, she worked as an elementary school teacher.

Ann married Ron Skoglund on August 6, 1966. They moved from Milwaukee to Madison to Chicago to New Brighton before settling in Hastings, where they had two children, Michael and Molly. While Ann initially stayed home with her children, she eventually went back to work for the Tanner & Ring law firm (as it was then known), Lifespan of Minnesota, and the Sieben Polk law firm in various administrative capacities.

Ann was an avid traveler who visited all fifty states as well as Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Palestine, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, the former Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the Vatican City. She was a theater-goer, a reader who subscribed to four newspapers and countless magazines, a constant public-radio listener, and a world-class Diet Coke drinker. She took great pride in walking 10,000 steps a day and was happiest when she could do so with her friends. Ann would never turn down, or be unwilling to share, a good sweet.

She was a lifetime advocate for education and a dedicated supporter of the American Association of University Women. She was elected to the School Board of Hastings Public Schools and served as its Chairperson when the district built the new high school. She volunteered to support the public libraries, to call young people to remind them they had court appointments, to staff the Regina Hospital gift shop, and to team up with friends to advocate for grass-roots progressive causes.

Ann was a devout Catholic, attending Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings and the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. She was raised by her parents to have a deep love for Christmas and she shared that value through the decorations in her house (including up to six themed Christmas trees), candy making with the ladies in the C.L.C. (“Candy, Lunch & Crafts”), and the many thoughtful traditions and gifts she shared with her children and grandchildren.

Like many people, Ann dealt with health challenges toward the end of her life. She would not have been able to remain independent at her beloved house in Hastings without the assistance and compassion of the community that drove her to appointments, helped her around the house, shoveled her driveway, and included her in walks by the riverfront, meals at the Hastings Golf Club, book clubs, and trips to the theater. When she was diagnosed with cancer this summer, that community came together again -- with the dedicated support of her family and her teams at Allina Health Care, Pillars of Prospect Park assisted living in Minneapolis, and Grace Hospice -- to make her remaining months as comfortable and dignified as possible.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; her sister, Mary McWilliams; and her parents, Milo and Mary Jo (Hummer) McWilliams.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Nicole Moen) and Molly McKelley (Ryan); four beloved grandchildren, Madeline McKelley, Milo Skoglund, Annabel McKelley, and Freya Skoglund; and two “grand pups,” Rosie and Luna.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hastings with a visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Reception to follow in Mother Seton Hall. Interment at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Cemetery, Hastings.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Hastings branch of the AAUW or Hastings Family Service. Donations sent directly to the family will be used to support the Spark Grants fund that provides educational opportunities in classrooms throughout Hastings Public Schools. And, for those of you who share a love of Diet Coke, please raise a can in honor of Ann.

Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings is handling arrangements.