89
October 10
Sioux Falls
Thomas Aquinas Skaff was born in Sioux Falls on April 19, 1931, to Joseph and Agnes Skaff.
As the seventh out of eight children, he was the baby boy of the family and always fondly remembered being doted on by his big sisters and brother while he grew up in the Cathedral District of Sioux Falls, attending school at St. Joseph’s Cathedral from first grade through graduation in 1949.
Tom joined the United States Army in 1951 and served overseas during the Korean War. Shortly after leaving the army, he met the love of life, Bonnie Whaler, while having lunch at the Canton Cafe where Bonnie waited tables. As the story goes, one of his friends asked Bonnie out on a date and after she accepted, Tom talked his friend into canceling the date so he could ask Bonnie out instead. He was so smitten and fell in love instantly with her beautiful heart, charm, undeniable charisma and beauty and faith in the Lord.
Tom and Bonnie were united in marriage on March 28, 1954. He immediately adopted Debra Lynn, Bonnie’s infant daughter from a previous marriage, and together had two more children, Thomas Aquinas, Jr. in 1956 and Sherry Dawn in 1958. Tom began electrician school in the late 1950s and started his career traveling, working 12-hour days building missile silos and graduated onto being an electrical contractor assisting in many different jobs until he became employed with EROS Data Center in the early 1980s until his retirement in 2011 (where he was greatly admired, not just for his 30+ years of service) but his friendly and cheerful attitude towards everyone he encountered while there.
Together, Tom and Bonnie would raise a most loving family, instilling the values of hard work, honesty, kindness and generosity, but most importantly the unconditional love of family and an unfailing faith in Jesus Christ and His promise of eternal life. Tom is now rejoicing beyond measure, dancing with Bonnie and singing God’s praises as he has been reunited with his beloved wife, daughter, parents, siblings and friends.
Tom will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his son, Tom (Toni) Skaff, Jr., Norfolk, Neb.; Sherry (Bob) Amburn, Sioux Falls; son-in-law, Darwin Jaqua, Sioux Falls; sister, Mary Jo Donnelly, Chicago, Ill.; grandchildren Ryan (Missy), Nathan (Jill), Brandy, Brooke (Dale), Darin (Piper), Bobby, Sarah, Katie (Colton), Bonny and Stacie; great-grandchildren, Courtney, Jordan, Jade, Samuel, Leah, Silas, Aiden, Brennan, Finnley, Zaelyn, Zakye and Z’Naliya and Thomas.
Tom is proceeded in death by his wife of 59 years, Bonnie; daughter, Deb Jaqua; parents, Joseph Sr. and Agnes; siblings Maureen, Rita, Mickey, Audrey, Barbara and Joseph “Bud” Jr.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, October 16 at Linwood Wesleyan Church.
Arrangements provided by Miller Funeral Home.