SKJOLINGSTAD, Laurits
October 6, 1040 -July 13, 2022
After a short stay in Foothills hospital in Calgary, Laurits Skjolingstad passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 13th surrounded by his immediate family.
Born on the island of Karmøy, Norway, in October of 1940, Laurits was the only child of Faltin and Johanna Skjolingstad. School took him away from Karmøy at a young age, and his many years of travelling started with high school in Bryne. After high school, he moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, to study Civil Engineering. He had already met Agnes Vigrestad during his years in Bryne, and they married after his third year of university.
In 1966, the two of them moved from Scotland to Canada and welcomed three children. Ann-Elin, Frode Jarl, and Turid Linda. During these first years in Canada, he also finished both a Master’s and Ph.D. degree from the University of Calgary.
Laurits had a varied career with both ups and downs. He was grateful for the opportunities to work, travel and visit places around the world, meeting so many people from diverse cultures and religions and making friends from sunny Malaysia to the cold North.
Through his passion for speed skating, Laurits got to travel for competitions, even back to the old country. He enjoyed being a member of the speed skating club and community. Besides his speed skating hobby, he was also an exceptional wood worker, carver, painter, and stain glass creator. He was incredibly talented and extremely humble, never wanting to brag about any medals he had won or the number of art pieces he had done. Family and friends have over the years enjoyed beautiful homemade gifts, a welcoming open house to stay at and a knowledgeable guide for travels.
Laurits is survived by his wife, Agnes, his children, Ann (James) Perreault, Frode Skjolingstad, Turid (Shane) Ducholke, and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Friday July 22, 2022 at 1:00 PM at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 73 George Fox Trail, Cochrane, AB.
Arrangements entrusted to Anne MacNeil, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca – 403-932-1039
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of SKJOLINGSTAD Laurits 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Cochrane, Province: Alberta