Junice Skogen

With deep sorrow and much love, we mourn the passing of Junice Helen Skogen who left us peacefully on Saturday, November 1st, 2025.

Junice was born near Northwood, Iowa, on November 9th, 1939, the daughter of Arthur and Bertha (Hansen) Hillman. She was raised on a farm as the youngest of eleven children, where she attended Northwood Public Schools and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the Shellrock Lutheran Church.

On September 24th, 1955, she married Merle Skogen at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The newlyweds settled in Albert Lea where they started a blessed journey that lasted more than 70 years and saw them raise four children.

Faith, family and friends marked the hallmarks of Junice Skogen’s life, and her faith guided her to worship at First Lutheran Church and led her to service as a Sunday School teacher, mentor, and active member of the Altar Guild and Circle.

Her love of family was expressed every day of her life. That love was reciprocated not only by her family but also by everyone else she had the privilege of knowing.

Junice had a boisterous spirit that loved laughing, dancing, travel, music, and theater, to name a few. She was especially known for her baking, cooking and fellowship during the holidays. There was nothing that encapsulated the essence of Junice Skogen more than the experience we all shared when the family was together at Christmas. She was the master of ceremonies in every respect; share some food, tell a story, play a game, make us laugh….. That was Junice.

Junice is survived by her husband, Merle Skogen, all four children, Dawn (Brian) Hagen of Albert Lea, Daniel (Patti) Skogen of Clio, Michigan, Ann Skogen of Overland Park, Kansas, and Matthew (Jill) Skogen of Ottawa, Kansas.

She is also survived by three grandchildren; Jill (Neil) Adams of Burnsville, Minnesota, Levi (Hunter) Skogen of Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Erika (Curtis) Kudrna of Overland Park, Kansas; as well as four great-grandchildren including Caiden and Finley Adams of Burnsville, Minnesota, Skylar Kudrna of Overland Park, Kansas, and Magnolia Skogen of Bella Vista, Arkansas.

Junice was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and seven sisters, including Arlington, Harris, Inez, Deloris, Bernice, Ruth, Ruby, Dorothy, Dale, and Mavis.

Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 PM Friday, November 7, at Bonnerup Funeral Home in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM Saturday, November 8, at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, Minnesota with Pastor Mary Fiel officiating.

Burial will take place at Lakewood Cemetery in Albert Lea, Minnesota.