Ralph Orrin Skatrud, 81, of Henrico died Tuesday, November 2, 2010.

Mr. Skatrud was a native of Manitowoc, WI, the son of the late Orrin Richard and Mildred Evenson Skatrud. Ralph was a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He was a U. S. Air Force veteran, serving during the Korean War. He received an officer appointment from President Harry Truman and was the recipient of several patent awards. Ralph was a charter member of Lakeside Lutheran Church in Littleton. He retired as a senior engineer specialist with IBM after 32 years of service.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Irma L. Swearingen Skatrud; his daughter, Ellen Skatrud-Mickelson and her husband, Paul; his son, Mark Skatrud, of Takaka, New Zealand; three grandchildren, Joel Skatrud-Mickelson and his wife, Jennie Bell Mickelson, Monica Skatrud-Mickelson and Jesse Kitzman; four brothers, Dale Skatrud and his wife, Elaine, of Edina, MN, Roger Skatrud and his wife, Marilyn, of Chippewa Falls, WI, Keith Skatrud and his wife, Judy, of Casper, WY and Paul Skatrud and his wife, Donna, of Knightstown, IN; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 5, at 2:00 p.m. at Lakeside Lutheran Church in Littleton, NC with Rev. Fred Eichner, Rev. Julie Scheibel and Rev. Ellen Metcalf officiating. Interment will be in Valders, WI at Valders West Cemetery at a later date.

The family wishes to express special thanks to Halifax Home Health and Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lakeside Lutheran Church Building Fund, 2427 Eaton Ferry Rd., Littleton, NC 27850 or to Halifax Home Health and Hospice, 1229 Julian R. Allsbrook Hwy, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.

The flag in front of the funeral home flies at half-staff in honor of Mr. Skatrud’s service to his country.