Kenny Skoog

Kenneth “Kenny” Skoog, 87, of Graceville, MN, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Grace Home in Graceville.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Mundwiler & Larson Funeral Home in Graceville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Fr. Shawn Polman will officiate and burial will be at Graceville Consolidated Cemetery near Graceville.

Kenneth “Kenny” Albert Skoog was born on December 3, 1938, to John and Lulu (Matheson) Skoog in Graceville, MN. He graduated from Graceville High School and later joined the National Guard.

On October 1, 1966, Kenny was united in marriage to Lois Madeline Frey. Together, Kenny and Lois built a life here in Graceville filled with family, friendships, hard work, and countless memories. They were blessed with three children: John, Lisa, and Tom.

Kenny owned Skoog Oil Co. in downtown Graceville for over 30 years. A fixture in the community, he was well known as a hardworking and honest businessman. After retiring from Skoog Oil, he continued delivering bulk fuel for a couple more years before finding another passion as a school bus driver for more than 10 years. He truly enjoyed his time behind the wheel and often spoke of all the fun and unending laughs with the kids who rode his bus. He treasured those conversations and the special connection he had with them. Kenny was a longtime member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion.

At heart, Kenny was a horseman. He grew up on horses and had a lifelong love for them. He often joked, “I was born a cowboy but forced to work for a living.” That passion was shared with his young family, as their summers were filled with trail rides, country dances, and horse shows on the weekends, all summer long. Kenny continued to ride well into his 70s, accumulating a massive war chest of trophies and titles, including a MN State Barrel Championship on his prized mare, Monique. When his riding days were done, he turned that passion toward training a trick pony named Fancy Socks and spent the next several years entertaining young and old alike.

Outside of riding horses, Kenny was a sports enthusiast and an avid MN Vikings fan. He enjoyed hunting, bowling, golfing, reading Western books, and playing cards with his family and friends. Endeared by many, Kenny was often addressed as Festus or Lucky, epithets he took much pride in.

Kenny’s fervor for these things paled in comparison to his devotion to his children, as he supported them tirelessly, never missing the opportunity to watch and cheer them on. Whether it was a football or basketball game, wrestling or volleyball match, track meet, concert, play, or musical, Kenny was always John, Lisa, and Tom’s #1 fan. His family was his priority, and those moments were among the many ways he showed his children how much they meant to him.

Kenny’s grandchildren held a particularly special place in his heart. He cherished every opportunity to spend time with them, finding great joy in watching them grow up and making memories together. His utter joy for his grandchildren only grew with the addition of his great-grandchildren, who lit up his days the moment they came into the room.

Kenny lived his life by the motto, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” a truth he chose to live his life by, instill in his children, and live out fully all the way to the very end.

Kenny is survived by daughter Lisa (Rick) Gilsdorf of Graceville, MN; sons John (Shelly) Skoog of Greenfield, MN, and Tom (Michelle) Skoog of Rapid City, SD; 11 grandchildren: Ashley (Reed) Lawrence, Kendra (Noah) Cardwell, Cole Gilsdorf, Emily Skoog, Ella Skoog, Grace Skoog, Hope Skoog, Tommy Skoog, Faith Skoog, Nicholas Skoog, and Charity Skoog; great-grandchildren: Liv Lawrence, Wells Lawrence, Penn Lawrence, Baker Cardwell, and Bodie Cardwell; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lulu Skoog; his beloved wife, Lois Skoog; and siblings, Karen Folkens, Charlotte Hanson, and Roger Skoog.