Michael R. Skaife
October 30, 1954-July 1, 2025
Michael R. Skaife, age 70 of Prairie du Chien, passed away on July 1, 2025, at Crossing Rivers in Prairie du Chien.
He was born on Oct. 30, 1954, to Walter and Arleen (Nagle) Skaife. Mike grew up in Patch Grove and graduated from West Grant High School with the class of 1972.
He married Coleen Balk on May 14, 1983, at the Prairie du Chien United Methodist Church. Mike worked at the 3M Company in Prairie du Chien for 37 years until retirement. He later worked for Bennett Hardwoods and helped both Prairie du Chien and River Ridge School Districts as a driver for children with special needs.
Mike served a leading role in the National Wild Turkey Federation and also helped set up for the Carriage Classic in Prairie du Chien. Mike was an avid hunter, outdoorsman and woodworker, tying all of them together with his love for turkey hunting.
He completed the “Royal Slam”, harvesting all five sub-species of the American wild turkey. Mike would spend hours in his woodshop creating slate calls, furniture, and many other projects.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years Coleen; children Ryan Skaife and Traci (Chuck) Konichek; siblings Robert (Laurine) Skaife, Sherry Skaife, and Sheila (Charles) Bishell; grandchildren Halle and Jake Skaife, and Gavin and Corina Konichek; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law Robert Balk.
Funeral Services will be July 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Prairie du Chien, Pastor Lynn Schreck officiating with private inurnment at a later date in the Union Nagle Cemetery in Patch Grove.
Friends may call at the Garrity Funeral Home on Friday, July 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials are preferred to the National Wild Turkey Federation or Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter.
