Corrine (“Corky”) Harriet Skrukrud, age 83, of Howard Lake passed away March 13, 2018 at Waconia Ridgeview Hospital with family and friends by her side. She was born February 14, 1935 to Kenneth and Stella (Benson) Skrukrud, the oldest of 3 children. She grew up, was baptized and confirmed in Granite Falls, MN, and graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1953. Corrine attended Mankato College and then worked in the Social Services field for over 25 years including Lutheran Social Services in Minneapolis, Wright Direction in Waverly, and Wright County Human Services in Buffalo. She was also church secretary at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake from 1978-1983.
Corrine was married to Roger Lothringer for 39 years from 1957-1996. Together they had 2 girls, Tami and Michelle, who were born in Bloomington. The family lived on a hobby farm outside of Waverly during their early elementary years, then located to Howard Lake. Corrine’s love, support, and pride for her children and grandchildren were always evident and foremost in her life. She enjoyed living at Shoreline Commons in Howard Lake for the past decade and gained many dear friends who watched over her in the last years.
Corky was an avid reader, often times reading several books a week, until her sight was compromised due to glaucoma. She also enjoyed crafting, decorating, gardening, and loved beautiful music. When she was younger she loved riding horses. She loved moving back to her family homestead in Granite Falls in 1996 and also loved spending time at the Zander farm in Howard Lake. Corky also had a great passion and pride for her Norwegian and Swedish heritage and was able to visit her ancestral homeland in 1997 for the trip of a lifetime.
Corrine was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Howard Lake until she moved in 1996 then was a member of Hawk Creek Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart.
Her family and friends will miss her love, compassion, spunk, and strength. “Takk for Alt, Corky. Now rest in peace.”
Corrine is survived by her children Tami Zander (Jed) of Howard Lake and Michelle Gehrz (Jon) of Plymouth and her grandchildren Tyler Zander (Elizabeth), Peter Zander, Amber Zander, Christopher Zander, and Nate Gehrz. She is also survived by her brother, Ron Skrukrud of Olivia, Karen Johnson (Lynn) of Granite Falls, and her nieces Nicole DeBoer, Ann Schlenner, and Holly Johnson.
Corrine was preceded in death by her parents, ex-husband, and grandchild, Benjamin Gehrz.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, March 24th at 3pm, with visitation 1 hour prior to service, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 625 12th Ave, Howard Lake, MN 55349. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534 www.swansonpeterson.com